Effects of malaria transmission and prevention awareness on infection prevalence among rural inhabitants of Ukwumango community, Abia state, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria has continually posed severe threat on the health of rural residents with limited or no knowledge on the practical steps of obstructing the transmission of the parasitic disease. This study evaluates the interplay between awareness and malaria prevention among rural residents. This study examined two groups of participants, one having malaria transmission knowledge and the other with no malaria transmission knowledge designated group A and B respectively. From each participant, 2 ml of blood was taken and immediately thin and thick films were prepared and the blood films stained with 10% Giemsa for 10 minutes and examined using an oil immersion microscope. A total of 92 (42.4%) positive cases were revealed in this study, with 39 (42.4%) occurring from the malaria knowledgeable group and 53 (57.6 %) cases were reported among participants in group B, ignorant of malaria transmission method. In group A, 13 (33.0%) males and 26 (67.0 %) females were infected. Group B had 22 (41.5 %) males and 31 (58.5 %) females infected respectively. There was a high malaria infectivity (84.1%) in group B compare to the infectivity rate as seen in group A. Evidence on malaria awareness in this study suggests that enlightenment on malaria pattern of transmission and prevention enable the individuals to avoid attitude considered risk of the disease. In situation where exposure is inevitable, the knowledgeable adopt the fastest means possible to stay safe by means of preventive diagnosis and treatment against manifestation of symptoms.