European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

DETERMINATION OF AGE PATTERN OF INFECTION AMONG THE STUDY POPULATION IN DRY AND RAINY SEASONS IN ENUGU METROPOLIS

Esimai Bessie Nonyelum* and Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi

ABSTRACT

A parasitologic evaluation of blood samples of 2000 symptomatic malaria patients (1000 males and 1000 females) in some health facilities of Enugu metropolis was conducted to determine the prevalence of plasmodium (P) species, seasonal pattern; sex and age specific pattern with special reference to pregnant women. The blood was evaluated parasitologically. The study revealed higher prevalence of malaria in rainy season than dry season. In the rainy season, persons within 51-60 years had the highest prevalence of malaria (96.9%) followed by 0-10years with (80.0%), 21-30 years, (74.0%), 41-50 years (71.0%), 11-20 years (67.5%) and 31-40 years (54.6%). Children and the aged persons were found to be more predisposed to malaria infections. Their susceptibility could be attributed to decline in their immune status. For dry season, those within 31-40 years had the highest prevalence (72.9%) followed by 21-30 years (67.0%), 11-20 years (50.4%), 41-50 years (24.5%), 51-60 years (17.4%) and 0-10 years (7.5%). The reduced prevelence among the children and aged persons could be due to preventive measures. Highest prevalence in young adults could be due to extent of exposure to the breeding sites of mosquitoes due to occupation and hyperactivity.

Keywords: Age Pattern, Malaria Infection, Dry and Rainy Seasons, Enugu Metropolis.