ISSN: 2455-944X Int. J. Curr. Res. Biol. Med. (2017). 2(11): 72-82 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT RESEARCH IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE ISSN: 2455-944X www.darshanpublishers.com DOI:10.22192/ijcrbm Volume 2, Issue 11 - 2017 Original Research Article DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22192/ijcrbm.2017.02.11.009 Occurrence of malaria infection in under-five children in Orlu, L.G.A. of Imo sate, Nigeria Ozims S.J.1, Eberendu I.F.2, Obeagu E.I.3, Ihekaire D.E.2, Agu G.C.2, Obioma-Elemba J.E.2, Obasi C.C.1, Uchegbu U.4, Amah H.C.5, Ibanga I.E.6, Nwosu D.C.5, and Okwara C.1 1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. 2Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Science, Imo, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. 3Department of Health Services, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. 4Department of Medical Microbiology, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri,Nigeria. 5Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Imo, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. 6Department of Chemical Pathology, Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos, Nigeria Abstract This study was carried out between March 2014 and June 2014 on the occurrence of malaria infection in under five children in Orlu Local Government area of Imo State Nigeria. The study covered 381 randomly selected households and 622 consenting subjects with information’s gotten mostly from mothers and nannies as care providers. The study population was 510 children below 5 years of age. Analysis of data collected shows that 77% of respondents in the rural area had no education above secondary school level, while 56% of respondents in the sub-urban area had education up to secondary school and 67% of respondents in the urban area had education up to the secondary school level this incidence of malaria in the studied areas in inversely proportional to the socio-economic levels of the areas in under study Incidence increased with decrease in socio-economic levels and the improvement in living standard. Use of bed nets is more common in communities with better socio economic status. Regarding management of Malaria ie purchase of across- the counter drugs use of leftover drugs, application of traditional medication etc. was highest in Amike and decrease to the lowest in the urban local Government headquarters. Also malaria related complications were more among the children from low socio-economic households than their counterparts of high socio-economic level. Keywords: malaria infection, Imo State Nigeria, socio-economic levels. Introduction Globally malaria is increasingly becoming a disease of countries can be accounted for by changing factors serious concern to everybody. This is because day by, like high breeding rate of vector and high transmission the impact of malaria on human existence the world rate of parasite round the year which peaks during the over becomes more ravaging and damaging parts of raining season, increased number of sites conductive the globe especially the developing countries of which for mosquito breeding accessioned by incessant rains, Nigeria is one. The over bearing impact of malaria ignorance, poverty, unsanitary environment infestation in the tropical region and developing conditions, poor behavioral attitude, inadequately 72 ISSN: 2455-944X Int. J. Curr. Res. Biol. Med. (2017). 2(11): 72-82 planned socio-economic projects (Oparaoha, 2003; The five communities are all traversed by major Obeagu et al.,2017;Obeagu et al.,2014; Obeagu et government roads. al.,2014; Obeagu et al.,2017; Nwosu et al.,2015; Obeagu et al.,2013; Nwosu et al.,2016; Nwosu et Sampled population al.,2015; ). Among the communities three areas were sampled in Because of this costly impact of malaria of human and the research on occurrence of malaria infection in material resources, emphasis has shifted from curative under five children in one rural, one suburban and one to control measures, especially as evidenced by the urban area of orlu local government area of imo state, activities of World Health Organization (WHO 2000) which held within then period of Jan. 14 to June 23, in its Roll Back Malaria Program. This shift of 2014. emphasis is informed by the fact the treatment of malaria since its discovery has not very effective and The communities are Umuna, Amaifeke and Amike. reliable due to drug resistance, high cost of anti- Amike represent a poorly rural population, it malaria drugs, non-available or poor accessibility to comprises mostly subsistence farmer cultivating anti-malaria drugs by the underdeveloped parts of the cocoyams and cassava largely. The only symbol of works. development here are two primary schools with dilapidated building and one non-functional Also superstition, ignorance and poverty have some government owned health center. There is no nursery reasonable percentage some reasonable percentage primary school. There is only one patent medicine contribution to the problems in the fight against store which is poorly stocked with drugs and named malaria. by only a primary six certificate holder with no formal medical training at all. The households student were 1.2 Aims and objectives only those who consented after the meaning of the exercise to be carried out was explained to them. This study is aimed at achieving the Amaifeke is a fairly developed area One nursing following objectives. primary, 3 public primary schools, 2 secondary schools several small scale Industries, a weekly 1. To bring to the fore the incidence and functional government owned health penter, two management of malaria in Imo State as relates functional private hospitals, three maternity Lomes,7 to urban, sub-urban and rural localities in the patent medicine shops and 2 moderately equipped state. medical laboratories managed by trained medical 2. To study comparatively the incidence and laboratory scientists. The population is mostly prevalence of malaria indifferent communities subsistence farmers and road side trade. among under five children in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State. Orlu Headquarters is a urbanized community 3. To study comparatively the general malaria hostingmostly public servants, road side traders, preventive measures example use of bednet artisans and •subsistence farmers. There is electricity, among the three selected communities with a 2 kindergarten,5 primary schools 3 secondary schools, view towards establishing differences. several small and medium scale industries, a 4. To examine the prevalence and impact of functional mission owned hospital with a school of across-the-counter purchase and consumptions nursing, 3 functional private hospital, 2 maternity of anti-malaria as the major home homes, 15 patent medicine shops, 4 moderately management strategy for malaria in the three equipped medical laboratories managed by trained areas under study. laboratory scientists. Materials and Methods 3.3 Methodology and data collection The principal tool in the conducing of this research is Study area the questionnaire. No blood samples were taken as the presence of three or more classical symptoms of The study was done in Orlu Local Government Area malaria in children. These symptoms, includes of Imo State Nigeria Okporo has been chosen based on headache, moderate to high grade fever, vomiting, loss socioeconomic consideration in ascending order of of appetite, weakness, anemia and jaundice. Also socioeconomic and infrastructural development. 73 ISSN: 2455-944X Int. J. Curr. Res. Biol. Med. (2017). 2(11): 72-82 splenic enlargement which is commonly observable by for treatment after information on them were the mothers or care providers is also a diagnostic sign. collected. This method was applied because of Non-acceptance of parents or care providers of the studied children of Five children, could not see the end of the research the withdrawal of blood from their children. To period. One died from each of the communities while compensate for this, the care providers volunteered two, one from Amike and one from Ameifeke information freely to research conductors. relocated with their care providers before the end of the research. Before the exercise proper. The parents where thoroughly educated as a group on two or more Results accessions on the classical symptoms and signs of malaria in under 5 children (see above). Also a pilot A survey carried out between inarch 2014 and June survey merged with advocacy visits was conducted on 2014 occurrence of malaria infection among "under 5" few house as a test-run. These was much cooperated children in one rural, on suburban and one urban of from the too invasive. Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, has the following results. 3.4 Final experiment survey A total 313 household was visited during the period A non-rigid mapping process was applied to facilitate with 622 consenting care providers interview. then study. The three study communities were each However, not allcare providers interviewed had a mapped into four sections. Each section comprised at child studied. The Care providers were, mostly least 15 household each of which must contain an mothers or nannies with few being fathers. under five child. Random selection and willingness to volunteer information were employed in selecting the There were a total of 6400 child contacts within the first house to start within each section. Each block of study period. In which 1121 (1.0%) of such child 15 household was .assigned to interviewers. The contacts, a child was found to be ill with symptoms of children were given tellers bearing their numbers and malaria as at the time of contact or a week before name and age which their careproviders were asked to contact. Also 77% of care providers in the rural area presents. A two time's weekly visits was paid to each had no education above secondary school level and block of household by their assigned interviewers for 67% of care providers in urban area had education up the number of weeks involved in the study.