With sub-Saharan Africa accounting for approximately 93 percent of all malaria cases worldwide and approximately 94 percent of all malaria deaths, and Nigeria emerging as the country with the highest number of malaria cases and fatalities in Sub-Saharan Africa, malaria has continued to be a significant public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, which bears a disproportionately large share of the global malaria disease burden. The country’s population is estimated to be at risk of contracting Malaria, which accounts for approximately 25 percent of the continent’s malaria disease burden, according to the most recent available estimates(WHO).

When you have malaria, you will have a high fever of more than 38C (100.4F), as well as chills and excessive sweating. Intense muscle pain, a headache, blurred vision, and dizziness are all common symptoms. Some patients may also experience diarrhea and vomiting as a result of the medication. Symptoms may appear within seven days of being bitten, or they may take between 10 and 15 days to manifest themselves. However, symptoms varies based on individuals.

Plasmodium, a type of parasite, is responsible for the transmission of malaria. This is a microscopic parasite that is spread by certain species of mosquitoes and causes dengue fever. Despite the fact that there are numerous types of Plasmodia parasites, only four of them are known to cause malaria in humans. Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae are among the parasites that cause malaria.

There is a fifth species that is responsible for the transmission of malaria to humans. Plasmodium knowlesi is the scientific name for this parasite. It is found throughout South East Asia and is frequently misdiagnosed as Plasmodium malariae (malaria). The infection has the potential to progress to a more serious and even life-threatening stage.

Female Anopheles mosquitoes, which are night-biting mosquitoes, are the primary vectors for the transmission of the Plasmodium parasite.

The diagnosis of malaria is made through the examination of blood samples. Under a microscope, the parasites can be seen to be present. Once a diagnosis has been made, treatment should begin as soon as possible. Almost all of the patients make a full and complete recovery.

Anti-malarial medication is used to treat and prevent malaria in both humans and animals. The type of drug and the duration of treatment are determined by the type of malaria, the severity of the disease, and whether or not the patient is pregnant.

Malaria can sometimes become difficult to treat. Severe anaemia, cerebral malaria, malaria during pregnancy, spleen rupture, acidosis, kidney damage, multi-organ failure, and other complications are among the risks associated with the disease, among others.

Several simple precautions can be taken to reduce the risk of contracting malaria. The first step in preventing malaria in high-risk areas is raising public awareness of the dangers of the disease. Mosquito bites can be avoided by dressing in protective clothing and applying mosquito repellent.

Anti malarial tablets may be prescribed to travelers who will be traveling to a malaria-endemic area in order to prevent them from contracting malaria. It is possible to avoid complications and death if you receive immediate diagnosis and treatment.

HACEY Health Initiative with support from AIICO insurance is committed to combating malaria. Hence, the  organization of a health promotion programs to commemorate the 2022 world malaria day.  The goal of the program is to improve women’s knowledge, attitude, and practice particularly among pregnant women, nursing mothers, and mothers in vulnerable communities across Lagos, Rivers, and Oyo States in Nigeria, with the desire to increase the awareness of 500 women across the most endemic communities on malaria prevention and control methods

To know more about HACEY fight against malaria visit www. hacey.org.

Written By:

Michael Adegboye

The post The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Malaria Infection Among Patients appeared first on HACEY.

CAMA and Access Bank commenced the project with an advocacy visit to government and community leaders in the Alimosho and Ikorodu Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Lagos State to familiarize the community with the project and engage them in the process.

While educating the masses on malaria, CAMA Program Director, Ochuko Keyamo-Onyige, said, “Malaria is known to be endemic in the tropics, and is transmitted all over Nigeria, where it is estimated that up to 97 per cent of the country’s population risk getting the disease. Transmission season lasts all year in Southern Nigeria, reaching its peak during the rainy season, thereby putting pregnant women and children under five with relatively lower levels of immunity at high risk.” “According to the 2020 World Malaria Report, Nigeria had the highest number of global malaria cases (27% of global malaria cases) in 2019 and accounted for the highest number of deaths (23% of global malaria deaths),” she continued.

Keyamo-Onyige further revealed that CAMA has launched the End Malaria Project as an initiative to galvanize private sector resources and capabilities for sustained support towards reducing the incidence and prevalence of malaria in the most endemic region in Africa by 2023, starting in Nigeria.

Also speaking about the program, Access Bank’s Head of Sustainability, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, said “The End Malaria Project is designed in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” She also highlighted the need for more private sector organizations to complement government efforts by investing in high-impact health interventions such as malaria and maternal health.

The health programme which took place in five communities in Lagos – the Ekoro, Omorogba, Adelabu, Omologede and Ijede communities of Alimosho and Ikorodu LGAs saw CAMA’s implementing partner HACEY Health Initiative donate 600 insecticide-treated nets, 1250 malaria rapid diagnostic tests kits and 1000 doses of IPTp-SP to 12 primary health facilities in the two local government areas, and information, education and communication materials to over 3,000 households. It also trained community mobilizers and volunteers sensitized community members in their homes, shops, markets and parks using 4000 information and education materials – information pamphlets, stickers and banners.

The Chairman of Ijede Local Council Development Area, Mrs Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba, appreciated the organizers for bringing the intervention to Ikorodu and further emphasized the need for all community members to sleep under insecticide-treated nets, especially pregnant women. She also restated her commitment to ensuring that pregnant women and children under 5 have access to preventive treatment of malaria.

In Ebonyi state, advocacy visits were paid to the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Board (PHC) on 4th September to engage the Ministry of Health regarding the implementation of the End Malaria Project in selected communities and the donation of essential commodities to the selected PHC.

Trained community mobilizers and volunteers were engaged in Ebonyi state to sensitize community members in their homes, shops, markets and parks using 4000 information and education materials – information pamphlets, stickers and banners. The sensitization took place across 7 communities in the local government – Iyioji, Umuobo, Ihienta, Ndiachi, Ohakpu, Mgbede, and Ishiagu communities in Ivo local government, reaching over 2000 community households directly through engagement. 500 insecticide-treated nets, 1250 malaria rapid diagnostic tests kits and 1000 doses of IPTp-SP donated to 12 selected primary health facilities in Ivo local government area.

In addition, a community malaria testing and net distribution exercise took place in the Hanwa and Zabi communities of Sanbo-Gari North LGA in Kaduna state. A total of 73 households were visited and the Zabi community which had a higher population recorded a total of 46 households while Hanwa-Rinji recorded 27 household visits. At the end of the community testing exercise, 451 people were tested including 171 pregnant women, with 281 testing positive to malaria and receiving free malaria treatment.

Executive Director of HACEY Health Initiative, Rhoda Robinson, expressed delight at the rate of participating pregnant women. “It is no news that maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in several low- and middle-income countries is alarming, with about 34% of global maternal deaths occurring in Nigeria, as World Health Organization (WHO) records shows that the MMR of Nigeria is 814 per 100,000 live births,” she said. “Hence, we are particularly grateful that 497 pregnant women were participants of the malaria testing in the three states.”

The End Malaria Project aims to increase the impact of these interventions in Lagos, Ebonyi and Kaduna states, and also expand to other endemic states in Nigeria. The program, which tested 2007 people for Malaria discovered that over 31.1% of total respondents were positive for the malaria parasite. The total number of individuals reached through community engagement in the three states was 11, 000.  While a total of 3597 insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) was distributed across the communities and Primary health care centres with 1997 ITNs distributed in 15 communities across 3 states and 1600 ITNs distributed across 30 Primary Health care centres in Lagos, Ebonyi and Kaduna states.

The project hopes to reach at least 5 million Nigerians through traditional media. This goal has commenced through an appearance on radio & TV programs.

CAMA channels the collective force of the private sector to drive impactful partnerships for malaria control and elimination in Africa.

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