Project Materials

FEVER AS A PREDICTOR FOR MALARIA INFECTION AMONG INDIVIDUALS ATTENDING KOFAI PHCC IN ARDO-KOLA LGA TARABA STATE

ABSTRACT

This study looked at fever as a predictor of malaria infection among people attending Kofai Primary Health Care in Ardo-Kola LGA, Taraba State. To do this, four research questions were devised. This study used a survey design with simple random sampling procedures. The population consists of chosen personnel and patients from Kofai PHCC, Ardo-Kola LGA, Taraba State. When choosing the sample size, the researcher readily chose 77 inhabitants, while 60 were returned and validated. Data was collected using a self-constructed and verified questionnaire. The collected and validated questionnaires were examined using standard deviation. According to the findings, the leading causes of malaria among adults in Nigeria are mosquito bites, temperature and precipitation, malaria vectors, pollutants, blood transfusions, and immune system deficiencies.

According to the study’s conclusions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should completely participate in local education campaigns, and road, gutter and drainage cleaning should be promoted to prevent malaria transmission. Furthermore, people should use insecticides in their homes to avoid mosquito bites.

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Malaria is a life-threatening parasite disease spread by female Anopheles mosquitos. Malaria accounts for approximately 60% of outpatient visits to health institutions in Nigeria, 30% of childhood fatalities, 25% of deaths in children under the age of one, and 11% of maternal mortality (National Population Commission, 2008; Noland et al., 2014).

Similarly, malaria affects around 70% of pregnant women, leading to maternal anaemia, low birth weight, stillbirths, abortions, and other pregnancy-related problems (Federal Ministry of Health Abuja, 2005).

Malaria remains one of the most serious threats to tropical regions in the world. It is a lethal and crippling disease that has a negative impact on the physical and economic well-being of people in Africa’s endemic areas (WHO, 2008). Pregnant women are among the highest risk groups (Okwa, 2003).

According to a recent global estimate, malaria causes between 300 and 500 million clinical cases and 1.50 million to 2.70 million fatalities per year (Greenwood, 2005). Pregnant women are most vulnerable to malaria due to the natural immune suppression that occurs during pregnancy.

Hence, it is one of the most critical health issues affecting pregnant women since it has a danger of compromising the life of the woman or the fetus (WHO, 2010).