Seasonal Variation and Intensity of Malaria Infection in Patients Attending Public Health Institution in Nasarawa State of Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria remains a significant health challenge in Nigeria and millions of people are still at risk of contracting the parasite. This research determined the seasonal variation and intensity of malaria infection in patients attending the public health institutions in Nasarawa State with respect to the seasonal variation, intensity, sensitivity and specificity of infection. A total of 1200 blood samples were collected through venous puncture from consenting patients attending the hospitals and analyzed using two malaria diagnosis methods that is, Giemsa stained blood film microscopy and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs). Microscopy had 62.5% while RDTs had 59.7% positive malaria cases. With respect to the seasonal variation, infection was high during the early rainy season and late rainy season (69.1%), and moderate during early dry and late dry season with a prevalence rate of 30.9% (p<0.05). RDTs had 97% sensitivity and 90% specificity and predictive values of 96.6% (positive) and 93.6% (negative). The intensity of the parasitic infection was determined and parasites load ranges from ≤ 200 parasites per microlitre of blood to >1500 per microlitre of blood with a mean of 21.4/µl of blood. Females had higher occurrence of malaria leading to a higher level of parasitemia while males had a higher parasite density of >1500. Patients were examined to determine the level of parasites level among malaria positive patients. There were 344/750 (45.9%), 232 (30.9%) and 174 (23.2%) patients with low, moderate, and high parasitemia, respectively. This study highlights the significant seasonal variation in malaria prevalence, with an overall infection rate of 62%. The findings suggest that malaria transmission intensifies during specific periods, likely influenced by climatic factors such as rainfall and temperature. These seasonal fluctuations emphasize the need for targeted intervention strategies, including intensified vector control and public health campaigns during peak transmission seasons.