DETECTION OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM ANTIGEN IN WHOLE BLOOD OF THE STUDENTS OF THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, NASARAWA

ABSTRACT

Malaria remains a significant public health concern in many regions, including Nasarawa, Nigeria. Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly species of malaria parasite, is responsible for the majority of malaria-related deaths. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective disease management and control. This study aimed to detect Plasmodium falciparum antigen in the whole blood of students at the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa to assess the prevalence of the infection within the student population. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 students randomly selected from different departments at the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa. Whole blood samples were collected and tested for the presence of Plasmodium falciparum antigen using a rapid diagnostic test (RDT). The prevalence rate of Plasmodium falciparum infection was calculated based on the number of positive RDT results. The results showed a prevalence rate of 3.5% for Plasmodium falciparum infection among the student population. This indicates that a considerable number of students at the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa were carrying the malaria parasite without exhibiting any apparent symptoms. These asymptomatic carriers can serve as reservoirs for transmission, posing a potential risk to the entire community. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing effective malaria control measures, including regular screening and appropriate treatment. Further research is warranted to explore additional factors contributing to malaria transmission and to develop targeted interventions to combat the disease in this region.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                          INTRODUCTION

Malaria is the most highly prevalent tropical disease with high morbidity, mortality, economic and social impact and remains a major public health problem in Nigeria where it is endemic in rural populations especially after rains and floods where stagnant water, overcrowding and improper sanitation predisposes to malaria (Aribodor et al., 2007).

Malaria is a vector-borne infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. It is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Human malaria is commonly caused by five Plasmodium species: Plasmodium vivax, P. malariae, P. falciparum, P. ovale and P. knowlesi, each with their geographical location and varied incubation periods from infection to manifestation of symptoms with P. falciparum causing 80% of infections and 90% of deaths worldwide (Meredith, 2007). Plasmodium falciparum malaria is an important cause of maternal anaemia, intra-uterine growth retardation, intrauterine death, stillbirth, premature delivery and low birth weight (Aribodor et al., 2007). Also, Pamela et al., (2015) reported that the majority of malaria infections in Sub-Saharan Africa are caused by Plasmodium falciparum, more so, the main causes of morbidity and mortality affecting people of all age groups especially children in endemic areas such as Nigeria.

Malaria disease is caused as a result of the presence of malaria parasite in the red blood cells causing feverish condition, anaemia and in many cases especially in children resulting to death. It is typically caused by single-celled obligate protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium and usually, people get infected by being bitten by an infective female Anopheles mosquito. Only Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria, and they must have been infected through a previous blood meal taken on an infected person. Malaria transmission can be reduced by preventing mosquito bites with mosquito nets and insect repellents, or by mosquito control measures such as spraying insecticides inside houses and draining standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs (Udoh et al., 2016).
According to World Health Organization, malaria is endemic throughout Nigeria and it is estimated that malaria mortality rate for children under five in Nigeria at 729 per 100, 000. Malaria has a great morbidity and mortality than any other infectious diseases of the world (World Malarial Report, 2005); a child will be sick of malaria between two and four times in one year. The Ministry of Health reported in April 2004 that malaria is responsible for one out of ten deaths in pregnant women and has caused the Federal Government of Nigeria over one billion Naira annually in treating malaria. At least, 50% of the population suffers from at least one episode of malaria each year. The disease is the commonest cause of outpatient attendance across all age groups (WHO, 2005).

In Nigeria, several studies on the assessment, prevalence, pattern and distribution of Plasmodium falciparum malaria have been variously reported. For instance, Abbas et al., (2015) revealed a 6.4% prevalence of malaria in Lagos and 43.3% in Borno; while George et al., (2015) reported 38.8% in North Central Nigeria. Dougnon et al.,(2015) had 22.0% prevalence in Nigeria, with males (63 .33%) being more infected than their female (36.36%) counterparts, while Okoroiwu et al., (2018) got 40.4% prevalence in Lagos
Elsewhere, in Northeastern Nigeria, Houben et al., (2013) made a discovery of 24.5%, more so, Sam et al.,(2014) revealed a prevalence of 71.1% in their study of epidemiological factors in prevalence of malaria parasites in Primary Health Facilities Attendees in Ogun state, Nigeria.

The most critical factors incriminated in the spread or eradication of malarial disease include human behaviours (shifting population centers; changing farming methods); living standards and poverty as the predisposing factors associated with the disease (Worrall et al., 2003). The availability of numerous breeding places for malaria parasite vectors (Mosquitoes), the incessant rainfall, unsanitary environmental conditions, ignorance, poor behavioral attitudes and inadequately planned socio-economic projects have made the Nigerian environment a fertile ground for the escalation of the malaria infection (Okoroiwu et al., 2018). Likewise, it has been observed that there is high level of malaria infection in Nasarawa State and North Central at large (Okoroiwu, 2019). The reason is due to the tropical nature of the state coupled with lifestyles and behaviours, micro-climate, topography, population density and cultural practices among others. It is evident that many publications have done great works on prevalence of malaria in Africa, and Nigeria in particular. However, none has studied the prevalence of Plasmodiurn falciparum antigen in whole blood of the students of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa and this is the rationale for this investigation.

1.2       Statement of Problem

Malaria is a parasitic disease which is easily preventable, treatable and curable, but still it remains one of the major public health problems in Nigeria. The malaria burden as reported in the country is on the increase in spite of numerous interventions that have been instituted. The obstacles to the success of these interventions are socio-cultural, economic and political in nature. According to (UNICEF, 2004), it kills a child somewhere in the world every 30 seconds. 90% of malaria deaths occur in Africa, where malaria accounts for about one in five of all childhood deaths. Each year, there are approximately 515 million cases of malaria, killing between one and three million people, the majority of whom are young children in Sub-Saharan Africa (Snow et al, 2005).

At the start of the new millennium, malaria is still deeply entrenched in Africa and effective malaria control is under threat from the inexorable spread of parasite strains resistant to anti-malarial drugs and the emergence of mosquitoes resistant to the pyrethroid insecticides used to impregnate bed nets. Malaria constitutes a major economic burden on endemic communities in Africa, and it costs sub-Sahara African countries including Nigeria, more than US$l2billion (WHO, 2015).

Malaria is implicated in the reduction of human work capacity and productivity; consequently, it adversely affects the socio- economic development of the nation (Federal Ministry of Head, 2001). The disease thus constitutes a great burden on the already depressed Nigerian economy (Netmark, 2001); moreover the high rate of absenteeism among students of Higher Institutions in Nigeria especially the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa is attributed in part to malaria as it causes a lot of misery to infected students, and adversely affects their academic performance, social and psychological well being of the students, individuals, families and the nation at large.

1.3       Justification of the Study

This study is justifiable because of the presently constant in the region it is important to always study the dynamics of the spread in particular population.

L4       Aim of the Study

To determine the Plasmodium falciparum antigen among students of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa

1.5       Objectives of the Study

1. To detect Plasmodium falciparum among students in relation to their demographic factors

To determine the association of Plasmodium falciparum infection in relation to the use of door /window nets