INVESTIGATION ON THE INCIDENCE OF PLASMODIUM PARASITES INFECTION AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING FIRST REFERRAL HOSPITAL DONGA, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Malaria is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, especially among pregnant women because of the associated maternal and prenatal morbidity and mortality. Malaria is increasing throughout the world due to the bite of the female anopheles mosquito. This study was carried out to investigate the incidence of plasmodium parasites infection among patients attending First Referral Hospital Donga, Taraba State, Nigeria. 400 samples of blood were collected and examined under the microscope using thick film. Out of the 400 samples of blood collected 385 (96.25) were infected with plasmodium parasite with highest incidence of infection of (69.61%) which was recorded among the female and the incidence of infection of (30.39%) which was recorded among the male. Chi-Square test showed a significant association between the rate of infection and gender. Highest incidence of infection of (48.56%) was recorded among the age group 20 – 34 years and age group >65 years recorded the least infection of (4.16%). Highest incidence of infection of (62.85%) was recorded among others group and fishermen recorded the least infection of (1.82%). Highest incidence of infection of (51.43%) was recorded among Asibiti ward and Akate ward recorded the least infection of (8.05%). Chi-square test showed no significant association between the rate of infection and age, socio-economic status and wards. Based on the results obtained we concluded that there is high incidence of plasmodium parasite in the study area which is a public health problem that need control measures to be apply such as public health education on the use of ITNs and early dictation and treatment of infected person.