Browsing by Author "Ogun, A.A."

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    Comparative prevalence level of plasmodium in freshmen (first year students) of Nnamdi Azikwe University in Awka, South-Eastern, Nigeria
    (Malaysian Society for Microbiology, 2009) Ibekwe, A.C.; Okonko, I.O.; Onunkwo, A.I.; Ogun, A.A.; Udeze, A.O.
    This study examines and reports the prevalence of plasmodium species between gender of freshmen (first year students) of Nnamdi Azikwe University, Akwa, South-Eastern, Nigeria. Blood film examination for malaria parasites in 200 (100.0%) freshmen; 82 (41.0%) males and 118 (59.0%) females was carried out over a 6-month period. Microscopic examinations of both thick and thin blood films techniques were employed for this study. A high malaria parasite prevalence rate of 80% was noted in these subjects. Of the 200 samples examined, 160 (80.0%) were Plasmodium-positive. There was a female preponderance (F/M 2:1). A higher Plasmodium prevalence was recorded amongst females 102 (86.4%) than in the males 58 (70.7%) and there was no significant increase in malaria infection rate in any particular sex (P=0.05). Plasmodium falciparum was the most prevalent of all the other species. This study also shows that a good percentage of people were infested by malaria with P. falciparum [134 (83.8%)] being the most prevalent species, followed by P. malariae [14 (8.9%)], P. vivax [8 (5.0%)] and P. ovale [4 (2.5%)]. P. ovale was only found among the female subjects and none was found among the male subjects. The findings of this study are of a practical impact, with female subjects having the highest proportion of parasitic contamination. The higher prevalence of malaria Plasmodium found in this study could be attributed to the stagnant drainage systems in the University, which created favorable environmental conditions for the breeding of mosquitoes that act as vectors of malaria parasites and so this enhances the proliferation of the Plasmodium. It could also be attributed to the effect of climatic features on vector breeding and transmission. Wet season usually promote mosquito breeding. Also, the prevalence of P. falciparum could be attributed to its ability to resist attack of most drugs that are commonly in use in the study area. However, there should be a high index for the needs to take appropriate measures aimed at preventing malaria by intensifying efforts in mosquitoes eradication program through operation roll back malaria in Africa, especially in Nigeria
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    Prevalence of malaria plasmodium in Abeokuta, Nigeria
    (Malaysian Society for Microbiology, 2009) Okonko, I.O.; Soleye, F.A.; Amusan, T.A.; Ogun, A.A.; Udeze, A.O.; Nkang, A.O.; Ejembi, J.; Faleye, T.O.C.
    This study reports the prevalence of malaria caused by plasmodium between genders in Abeokuta, the capital city of Ogun State located in the forest zone of southwestern Nigeria between January 2002 and December 2004. Blood film examination for malaria parasites in 708 patients; 366 males and 342 females. Microscopic examination of thick films techniques was employed for this study. Of the 708 (100%) patients examined, 577 (81.5%) were Plasmodium-positive. A high malaria parasite prevalence rate of 81.5% was noted in this study. Female subjects were more infected (42.4%) than males (41.9%) however, there was no significant difference in the sex of the subjects studied (p=0.05). A high malaria parasite prevalence rate of 86.9% was noted in samples collected in year 2003 than in other years studied. There was significant difference in the years under study (p=0.05). This study shows that a good percentage of people were infested by malaria Plasmodium. This could be attributed to lack of adequate accommodation and poor sanitary conditions in the area under study. Although several efforts have been made to effectively control the high incidence of malaria in Nigeria, these have been largely unsuccessful due to a number of reasons such as irrigated urban agriculture which can be the malaria vector’s breeding ground in the city, stagnant gutters and swamps in our environment where mosquitoes breed in millions, and lack of political will and commitment of the government in its disease management program, low awareness of the magnitude of malaria problem, poor health practices by individuals and communities and resistance to drugs. Therefore, future interventions in Nigeria should be directed toward controlling malaria in the context of a moderate transmission setting; thus, large-scale distribution of insecticide-treated nets or widespread use of indoor residual spraying may be less cost-effective than enhanced surveillance with effective case management or focused larval control.