Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Prevalence of malaria and knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) about malaria among attendees to the medical centre, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria

International Conference on Parasitology

August 24-26, 2015 Philadelphia, USA

Ukpai Onyinye M and Ikwuegbu Lynda C

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Nigeria

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Bacteriol Parasitol

Abstract:

A total of 350 persons who attended the Medical Centre, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike from September to November, 2014 and who gave informed consent to be part of the study, with a demographic composition of 139 males and 211 females of different ages, had their blood samples examined microscopically for the presence of malaria parasites. Of this number 26.86% were infected. More males (28.06%) than females (26.07%) were infected. Infection was highest in the age group 61-70 years (83.33%) followed by the age group 41-50 years (58.06%). The most frequent illness reported to occur in the study area was malaria (52.28%). Responses from structured questionnaires administered revealed that many of the attendees had heard of malaria (95.71%) while (97.43%) had suffered from malaria before. The most common signs/ symptoms reported was fever (31.43%). Others included vomiting (15.71%); headache (11.43%) and body pains(11.43%). The cause of malaria was attributed to mosquito bites (68.57%); contaminated food and water (12.86%) and palm oil (11.43%). Preventive and control methods employed were the use of drugs (80.0%); use of insecticides (14.3%) and use of mosquito nets (5.7%). Different modes of treament reported were going to the hospital (77.1%); self medication at a chemist store (17.1%) and the use of local herbs (5.7%). It is recommended that residential environments be kept clean to prevent the creation of breeding sites for mosquitoes.

Biography :

Ukpai Onyinye M has a PhD in Parasitology/ Entomology. She is a Commonwealth Fellow of the University of Bristol, United Kingdom. She is a Senior Lecturer in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture. Umudike, Nigeria. She is also a Fellow of RSTMH. She has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals and is currently serving as the Deputy Dean of College of Natural Sciences in her Institution.

Email: nnokeukpai@yahoo.com