A Cross- Sectional Study on the Comparative Analysis of Diagnostic Methods and Malaria Distribution in Febrile Patients Attending a Multi-System Hospital in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Background: Malaria remains a significant global health concern despite improvements in treatment and vector control. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection and compare the diagnostic accuracy of microscopy versus rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in febrile patients at Afe Babalola Multi-System Hospital in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Method: A total of 150 samples of were enrolled using purposive sampling method between March and April, 2024 and analyzed for malaria parasites using RDTs and microscopy. Results: The study included 92 males (61.3%) and 58 females (38.7%) with ages ranging from 14 years and older. The age group 18-24 years had the highest proportion of cases (34%), while those aged 60 and above had the lowest (3.3%). A majority of patients (71%) were from urban areas. Common symptoms included headache (34.7%), body pain (29.3%), fatigue (28.7%), and fever (24.7%), while chills (4.7%) and anemia (3.3%) were less frequently reported. Diagnostic results showed that 96% of samples tested positive for P. falciparum by microscopy, compared to 88% using the RDT. Conclusion: The findings underscore higher prevalence in urban areas and higher malaria burden in young adults, particularly males, suggesting that factors such as poor sanitation, informal housing, stagnant water sources, and population density may contribute to transmission in cities, also gender disparities in malaria incidence may stem from differences in exposure risks, access to healthcare, or biological susceptibility. The study also highlights the value of combining microscopy and antigen-based tests for reliable diagnosis, especially in urgent care settings.