Malaria
is a life threatening parasitic disease transmitted by female anopheles
mosquitoes. Malaria is the most highly prevalent tropical disease, with high
morbidity and mortality and high economic and social impact. Of all the human
parasitic infections, malaria caused by four species of parasitic protozoa
belonging to the genus Plasmodium debilitates
and kills more people than any other single infectious disease. Human malaria
can be caused by four species of
the plasmodium parasite viz P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale. p.vivax, p.malariae and p.ovale species
are classified as relapsing or persisting stage of their life cycle.
Malaria parasite is introduced into the
blood of animals and man by the bite of an infected anopheles mosquito. The
life cycle of the malaria parasite consists of asexual cycle that occurs in the
vertebrate host and sexual cycle that occurs in the invertebrate host.
Every year, between 300 and 500 million
of them die. In areas of tropical Africa,
children under the age of five are highly vulnerable and women in their first
pregnancy are highly susceptible since the natural defense mechanisms are
reduced during pregnancy.
The effects of malaria are noticeable in
rural areas where malaria frequently strikes during that period of the year
when the need for agricultural work is greatest. Studies in rural areas of Africa where malaria is endemic revealed that over one
third of primary school children had malaria during a school term, more than
half of this group had two or more attacks typically missing a week or more of
school with each attack.
The epidemiological data reveal that
malaria induced morbidity and mortality may vary considerably within a
relatively small area. It is also widely appreciated that there may be
considerable seasonal and between year variation in all malariometric indices
such that surveys undertaken in a population in different seasons or different
results. Thus super imposed on the spatial ecological and social complexity of
malaria are both seasonal and periodic varieties. These have led to several
studies on the pattern of the disease in Nigeria; through more studies
appear to have been undertaken in urban/semi-urban communities than in moral
areas. A prevalence of malaria has been reported for wet season in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
The management of malaria by people
dates back to the origin of malaria. An infusion of ginghao (artemesia annua)
has been used for at least the last 2,000 years in China. Its active ingredient (artemismin)
have only recently been scientifically identified, the antifibrile properties
of the bitter bark of (Cinchong ledgeriana) were known in Peru before the
18th Century. Quinine the active ingredient of the potion was first
isolated in 1820 by the pharmacist.
In modern times, managing malaria could
mean treating the infection using anti malaria drugs. In Nigeria, there
is paucity of information on studies on the malaria management of people.
However various anti malaria abound both local and scientific preparation are
used by people to combat malaria. The cost of treating malaria illness accounts
for one- third of the cost of the illness, two third reflect the time lose from
work by the patient and care taker.
Malaria thus has social consequences and
is a heavy burden on economic development. It was estimated that a single bout
of malaria cost a sum equivalent to over 10 working days in Africa.
The cost of treatment is between $US 0.08 $ US 5.30 according to the types of
drugs prescribed as determined by local drug resistance.
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