Authors : I.A.A. Ejima, I.U. Drisu, U. Yusuf, E.S. Okenyi and S.I. Ejima
Abstract: A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity of the four species of plasmodium known to affect humans.The research was carried out between June, 2012 and May, 2013. Both parasitological and immunodiagnostic (Immuno-Chromatographic-Test: ICT-Australia) tests were carried out to bring about definitive diagnosis of the species of plasmodium. The study area is Idah Local Government Area (LGA). This was divided into Idah Metropolis (IM) and Idah Suburbs (IS). The necessary biodata information such as sex, literacy level was collected from each participant through structured questionnaire. A total of 573 male and female Literate (L) and Illiterate (IL) subjects were examined for malaria parasites. Of this total (573), 313 (54.6%) infected subjects was recorded as the overall prevalence of infection. Statistical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the rate of male, L and IL infection (X2cal. = 3.251; df = 9). Similarly, cal. infection rate between female L and IL did not differ significantly (p>0.05) (X2cal = 14. 551 DF = 9). However, comparison cal = 14. 551 DF = 9 of the four factors, viz. sexes (male and female), L and IL involved in the rate of parasite infection revealed significant difference (p<0.05) (X2cal. = 56.287; df = 27) with the prevalent rate being higher in female than in their cal. male counterparts. In this study, the overall Geometric Mean Intensity (GMI) recorded was 774.8 per μL of blood. Also, significant difference was observed (p<0.05) in prevalence of malaria infection between IM and IS, being higher in the latter than the former (X2cal = 21.552; df = 3). The GMI recorded for subjects in the Idah cal suburbs was clearly significant (p<0.05) than that of Idah metropolis (X2cal = 45.431; df = 3). Generally, GMI was cal recorded for Idah metropolis and Idah suburbs under heavy infections with the exemption of Polytechnic community where both heavy and moderate intensity of infection was recorded. This finding corroborates the fact that the species, Plasmodium falciparum was encountered throughout the study. The treatment regimens of this study were inconclusive because the 34 subjects who were divided into two groups of 17 each failed to turn up for re-examination after the initial treatment with artesunate and fansidar, respectively.
I.A.A. Ejima, I.U. Drisu, U. Yusuf, E.S. Okenyi and S.I. Ejima, 2018. Definitive Diagnosis of Plasmodium Species and Treatment of Malaria, Using Parasitological and Immunodiagnostic Techniques among Households in Idah Local Government Area (LGA), Kogi State, Nigeria. International Journal of Tropical Medicine, 13: 1-6.