Pattern of Plasmodium Falciparum Infection in Rumuodogo Community, Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria
Chukwu, H. O. *
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Parasitology and Entomology Laboratory, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Ofuru, R. O.
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Parasitology and Entomology Laboratory, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Goodhead, D. A.
Department of Biology Education, Federal College of Education (Tech), Omoku, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Studies on the patterns of Plasmodium falciparum infection was conducted in two villages, Rumuodogo 1 and Rumuodogo II of Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, Niger Delta, between September 2019 and April 2020. About 2mls of intravenous blood samples were collected from the cubital veins of the arm from 360 randomly selected individuals and examined using routine microscopy after processing with standard parasitological techniques. From the total number examined, 183(50.8%) were found to be positive for P. falciparum. It was observed that Rumuodogo II has a higher prevalence of 85(53%) than Rumuodogo I, 78(49%). The difference in infection rates in the two villages was not statistically significant (Chi- Square (x2) =P<0.05). Ages 1-9 and 10-19 had the highest prevalence rate of infection 87.5% and 83.3% respectively while the lowest infection rate was recorded in age 70 and above. The researchers advocate proper environmental sanitation, waste disposal and health education.
Keywords: Pattern, Plasmodium, parasitological techniques, Rumuodogo