A cross sectional study
on the prevalence of malaria infection among secondary school students in Oba
Idemil South Local Government Area Anambra State, Nigeria was carried out
between January and April 2009. A total of 300 students (161 males and 139
females) were involved in the study. Venous blood containing Ethylene Diamine Tetra
acetic Acid (EDTA) of the 300 students was screened for malaria parasites using
Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films. Of the 300 blood samples examined,
31 (10.3%) were positive for malaria parasite. Plasmodium falciparum was identified in all the positive cases.
Prevalence rate of 16 (9.9%) was recorded in males while prevalence rate in
females was 15 (10.8%); this difference was not statistically significant
(p=0.809, p> 0.05). The private schools recorded a higher prevalence
23(13.5%) than the public schools 8(6.2%); this difference was statistically
significant (p=0.026, p< 0.05). The findings of this study emphasize the
need for health education in school, churches and community in order to control
malaria in the area.
prevalence, Secondary school, students.
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