Malaria Parasitaemia and Treatment- seeking Behaviour among Selected Residents of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Proper health seeking attitude is vital to achieving a malaria free world. This study aimed to evaluate malaria parasitaemia and treatment seeking behaviours in Adamawa State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1200 residents using structured questionnaires and blood sample analysis. Questionnaires were used to obtain information on subjects’ malaria history and health seeking behaviour. Thick and thin blood films (stained with Field’s stain A&B and 3% Giemsa respectively) were examined under the microscope. Results: The prevalence of malaria was found to be 39.6% in subjects who had history of malaria with overall parasite density 1588040/µl. Plasmodium falciparum was the only species found in this study. Infection in terms of symptoms reported showed subjects who reported back pain had highest infection 66.7% and subjects who reported headache/fever/bodyache had least infection 24% (P=.05). Subjects who visited herbalist had 45.5% infection and those who went to hospital had 41.8% (P=.05). For other treatments practiced; subjects who took Peltophorum pterocarpum leaves juice had 0% infection, whereas those who took Vernonia amygdalina juice recorded 48.4% infection (P=.05). Subjects who do not prevent had highest infection 62.2% whereas those who sleep under mosquito nets in addition to chemoprevention recorded 0% infection (P=.05). Sources of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) in the study area as reported by subjects were Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) 562 ITNs, Government intervention 378 ITNs, open market 99 ITNs and 29 non-ITNs (P=.05). Conclusion: The results suggest the need for more studies on local herbs to determine its efficacy in treatment and prevention of malaria alongside sustained interventions with ITNs and chemoprevention. Enhanced health education and improved access to malaria treatment health facilities in Adamawa State is also encouraged.