The result showed that out of the 415 sample population, 231 representing 55.7% were positive for malaria infection and all (100%) were infections of Plasmodium falciparum.
The result on the prevalence of malaria infection in relation to age showed that age group 20–29 years had the highest prevalence of 68.9% (51/74), followed by age group 10–19 years 67.8% (82/121), 40–49 years had 64.3% (9/14), 30–39 years had 58.3% (35/60), 60–69 years had 50% (7/14), 0–9 years had 44.9% (31/69), 50–59 years had 27.1% (13/48) and > 70 years had the lowest prevalence of 20% (3/15) as shown in Fig. 1. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference among the age groups (P < 0.05, X2 = 0.00, df = 14).
The result also showed that females had more prevalence of malaria 55.9% (143/256) than males 55.3% (80/159) as shown in Fig. 2. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significance difference between the sexes (P > 0.05, X2 = 0.918, df = 1).
The result also showed that the highest prevalence of malaria among hospitals was recorded by General hospital 74.2% (92/124), followed by Victory hospital 65.1% (41/63), Myom hospital had 52% (51/98), Lord is Saviour had 38% (35/92) while Royal hospital recorded the lowest prevalence of 31.6% (12/38) as shown in Fig. 3. There was a significant difference among the hospitals sampled (P < 0.05, X2 = 0.00, df = 8).
The intensity of malaria infection as shown in Table 1 indicated that 45.9% (106/231) had moderate infection, 39.8% (92/231) had mild infection, while 14.3% (33/231) had severe infection. Age group 0–9 years had 48.4% (15/69) mild infection, 32.3% (10/69) moderate infection and 19.4% (6/69) severe infection while 10–19 age group had 47.6% (39/121) mild infection, 48.8% (40/121) moderate infection and 3.7% (3/121) severe infection. Age group 20–29 years had 27.5% (19/74) mild infection, 43.1% (22/74) moderate infection and 29.4% (15/74) severe infection. Age group 30–39 years had 25.7% (9/60) mild infection, 60.0% (21/60) moderate infection and 14.3% (5/60) severe infection. Age group 40–49 years had 22.2% (2/14) mild infection, 77.8% (7/14) moderate infection and 0% severe infection (0/14). The observed difference in the intensity of malaria in relation to age group was not significantly different (P > 0.05, X2 = 0.867, df = 1).
Table 1
Intensity of malaria infection in relation to age in Gboko Metropolis, Benue State
Age Group (Yrs) | No. Examined | No. Positive (%) | Mild Infection (+) % | Moderate Severe Infection Infection (++) % (+++) % |
0–9 | 69 | 31(44.9) | 15 (48.4) | 10 (32.3) 6 (19.4) |
10–19 | 121 | 82 (67.8) | 39 (47.6) | 40 (48.8) 3 (3.7) |
20–29 | 74 | 51 (68.9) | 14 (27.5) | 22 (43.1) 15 (29.4) |
30–39 | 60 | 35 (58.3) | 9 (25.7) | 21 (60) 5 (14.3) |
40–49 | 14 | 9 (64.3) | 2 (22.2) | 7 (77.8) 0 (0) |
50–59 | 48 | 13 (27.1) | 5 (38.5) | 4 (30.8) 4 (30.8) |
60–69 | 14 | 7 (50) | 5 (71.4) | 2 (28.6) 0 (0) |
> 70 | 15 | 3 (20) | 3 (100) | 0 (0) 0 (0) |
TOTAL | 415 (100.0) | 231 (55.6) | 92 (39.8) | 106 (45.9) 33 (14.3) |
The result of the community’s perception to malaria elimination in Gboko shows that out of the 400 respondents, 93.2% (373/400) averred that they have the basic knowledge about malaria while 6.8% (27/400) claimed that they have no knowledge about malaria as shown in Table 2. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the sexes on their knowledge about malaria (P > 0.05, X2 = 0.333, df = 1).
Table 2
Respondent’s knowledge about malaria in Gboko Metropolis, Benue State
Have you heard About malaria? | Male Respondents (%) | Female Respondents (%) | Total no. of Respondents (%) |
No | 11(5.5) | 16 (8) | 27 (6.8) |
Yes | 188 (94.5) | 185 (92) | 373 (93.2) |
TOTAL | 199 (49.8) | 201 (50.2) | 400 (100.0) |
The result on Table 3 showed respondent’s knowledge about the cause of malaria. 48.8% (195/400) attributed it to malaria parasite, 19.8% (79/400) attributed it to oily food, 13.3% (53/400) implicated demonic spirit, 12.3% (49/400) claimed that malaria is caused by overwork and 6.0% (24/400) implicated sunlight. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (P > 0.05, X2 = 0.663, df = 1).
Table 3
Respondent’s knowledge about the cause of malaria in Gboko Metropolis, Benue State
Cause of Malaria | Male Respondents (%) | Female Respondents (%) | Total number of Respondents (%) |
Sunlight | 14 (7.4) | 10 (4.7) | 24 (6) |
Overwork | 19 (10.1) | 30 (14.2) | 49 (12.3) |
Oily food | 46 (24.3) | 33 (8.3) | 79 (19.8) |
Malaria parasite | 72 (38.1) | 123 (58.3) | 195 (48.8) |
Demonic spirit | 38 (20.1) | 15 (7.1) | 53 (13.3) |
TOTAL | 189 (47.1) | 211 (52.8) | 400 (100.0) |
From the study, the reasons why respondents didn’t sleep under LLINs are outlined on Table 4. Those that do not have the net had 32.6% (30/92), followed by 17.4% (16/92) and 10.9% (10/92) who averred that it was because there was no money to buy the net and that it’s not comfortable sleeping under the net respectively. Other reasons were; 5.5% (5/92) didn’t sleep at their house, 5.5 (5/92) forgot, 5.4% (5/92) don’t like it, 3.3% (3/92) all averred that it was because it gives them itchy skin, the net got spoilt and that they hate it. It causes heat and no reason respectively had 2.2% (2/92), whereas 1.1% (1/92) opined that they were not use to the net.
Table 4
Response to why respondents don’t sleep under LLINs in Gboko Metropolis, Benue State
Why didn’t you sleep under LLINs? | Male Respondents (%) | Female Respondents (%) | Total number of Respondents (%) |
Not comfortable | 4 (4.3) | 6 (6.5) | 10 (10.9) |
I don’t have it | 10 (10.9) | 20 (21.7) | 30 (32.6) |
It gives me itchy skin | 3 (3.3) | 0 (0) | 3 (3.3) |
I don’t like it | 2 (2.2) | 3 (3.3) | 5 (5.4) |
It causes heat | 0 (0) | 2 (2.2) | 2 (2.2) |
I hate it | 1 (1.1) | 2 (2.2) | 3 (3.3) |
Am not use to it | 0 (0) | 1 (1.1) | 1 (1.1) |
I didn’t sleep at my home | 3 (3.3) | 2 (2.2) | 5 (5.5) |
No money to buy | 7 (7.6) | 9 (9.8) | 16 (17.4) |
Mine got spoilt | 0 (0) | 3 (3.3) | 3 (3.3) |
I forgot | 3 (3.3) | 2 (2.2) | 5 (5.5) |
Chemical on it is dangerous | 0 (0) | 2 (2.2) | 2 (2.2) |
Am afraid of it | 1 (1.1) | 4 (4.3) | 5 (5.4) |
No reason | 0 (0) | 2 (2.2) | 2 (2.2) |
TOTAL | 34 (37.0) | 58 (63.0) | 92 (100.0) |