46. Endemicity of malaria in the human population of district Kech, Balochistan
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Abstract
Endemicity and high transmission of malaria infection is one of major health issues in Balochistan. The current study aimed to assess and evaluate the prevalence of malarial infection in district Kech (Turbat), Balochistan. Started in June 2021 and continued till end of May 2022 by sampling 53073 subjects. The blood samples were collected by preparing thick and thin blood films for both gender (male & female) and different age groups who belong to urban and rural areas, through visiting four different laboratories and homes twice in a month. The results reveal, incidence frequency of malarial infection (positivity) was 4074 (7.68%), highly prevailing in rural area 2433 (59.72%) as compare to urban area 1641 (40.28%) wherein male 2112 (51.84%) and female 1962 (48.16%). For all that, the highest incidence rate was recorded in age group 6-20 years with 1234 (30.29%) and the lowest in 1-5 years with 345 (8.47%). The plasmodium vivax ranked top with highest prevalence rate 3629 (89.13%) followed by Plasmodium Falciparum 424 (10.41%). Accordingly, endemicity of malaria infection remains a significant threat. Individuals in the society need to get themselves protected via practicing personal protective measure (i.e. utilizing insecticide bed nets, topical insect repellent and protecting residential regions) similarly the health consultants, NGOs and the government would play their roles completely for controlling the infection rate.
Keywords: Disease; Infection; Malarial parasite; Plasmodium species; Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium vivax