Malaria: Still a Health Problem in the General Population of Bannu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Aims: This study was aimed to know the burden of malaria infection and to re-evaluate its high prevalence in general population of Bannu District. Study Design: The current study was designed to re-evaluate the high prevalence of malaria and its demography in the human population of Bannu District. Place and Duration of the Study: This study was conducted during the months of May to September 2011 in local population of the Bannu District. Methodology: A total of 823 blood samples were randomly collected from both sexes; 513 males and 310 females of varying age groups <1 up to 50< years (mean 26.3± 9.1). Blood was drawn by pricking a left hand finger by using a sterilized lancet. Both thick and thin smears were prepared and examined through microscope for the detection of malarial parasites along with their impact on the general hematology. Results: Out of 823 blood samples, 223(27.1%) subjects were found positive for Plasmodiasis, while the distribution of species prevalence was observed as 186 (22.6%) and 25 (3.04%) for Plasmodium vivax, and Plasmodium falciparum, respectively along with a mixed infection of 12(1.46%). Variation with high incidence (42.65%) was found in the age group of 21-30 years. Moreover, males were found to be more malaria infected (30.64%) than females (24.95%). In addition, the prevalence of Plasmodiasis was found more frequent in rural population (33.42%) as compared to urban (21.00%) population. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the burden of malaria was high in rural areas of Bannu District and more attention is needed to overcome and control the high prevalence of malaria in this region.