Journal of Mosquito Research 2015, Vol.5, No.16, 1-4
2
throughout the country with seasonal variation in
different zones of the country.
At least 50% of the population suffers from at least
one episode of malaria each year. The disease is the
commonest cause of outpatient attendance across all
age groups. The results of the most comprehensive
study of the malaria situation in Nigeria conducted
across the six geographical zones in Nigeria have
signified the public health importance of malaria
(FMOH, 2001). The study confirmed that malaria is a
major cause of morbidity and mortality especially
among vulnerable groups including women and
children less than five years.
The incidence of malaria among the under five across
the six geographical zones during the study were as
follows: South-South 32.7%, South-West 36.6%,
South-East 30.7%, North central 58.8%, North East
55.3% and North West 33.6% (FMOH, 2001). The
present study is aimed at determining in the
prevalence of malaria amongst children 0 - 4 years in
Olugbo, Odeda Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Methodology
Study area
This study was carried out in Olugbo community of
Odeda Local Government Area (Ogun State) situated
in the South – western part of Nigeria and covers a
landmass of 16,370 square kilometres. The state lies
between longitude 2
o
45’E and 3
o
55’E and latitude 7
o
01’N and 7
o
18’N. The state has an annual rainfall of
1206.70mm, and a mean annual temperature range of
22.8
o
C – 34.9
o
C.
Olugbo, the study area is a rural community that
consists of fifteen (15) adjoining rural villages,
Obosokoto, Idi-obi, Eleta, Aralamo, Akide, Yakoyo,
Ogbonsode, Olugbo, Alagbayun, Ilafi, Iyanbu, Koku,
Gbagura, Aariku, Idi-omo, villages .The study area is
characterized by bushes, cultivated and uncultivated
farmlands close to human dwelling houses. Crops like
cocoyam, banana and pineapple, which have implications
on vector population, are readily cultivated. The area
is inhabited by the Yoruba speaking tribe of Nigeria,
and their main occupation is farming and trading.
Ethical clearance and informed consent
A letter for ethical consideration and a copy of the
project proposal was written and forwarded to the
ethical committee in the Ministry of Health, Oke
Ilewo, Abeokuta, Ogun state. An Ethical clearance to
undertake the study was obtained from the ethical
committee in the Ministry of Health. Permission to
use the community for the study was obtained from
the village Head, and informed consent was obtained
from the mothers/caregivers of children under five
years of age before they were enrolled into the study.
Study population
The study population consists of children under five
years. A total of two hundred children 0- 48 months
were recruited for the purpose of this study.
Blood sample collection
Two millilitres of blood samples were collected by
vernipunture. This was done with the assistance of a
registered laboratory technologist, under the supervision
of a Medical Doctor (Paediatrician), from the Federal
Medical Centre (FMC). The blood collection was
done by placing a tourniquet around the upper arm
and tightened sufficiently to increase blood pressure
and prevent venous return. The upper arm of the area
of the vernipunture was thoroughly cleaned and
sterilized using cotton wool soaked in methylated
spirit. Venous blood was collected from the antecubital
vein and transferred into a sample tube containing
Ethyl-Diamine Tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and mixed
thoroughly to avoid clotting. The blood samples were
then preserved with an ice pack in a cold box before
examination and analysis at the Parasitology Laboratory,
in the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
Laboratory examination
The Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) technique.
The technique was conceptualized in 1974 by Becton
– Dickson, it employs micro haematocrit centrifugation,
which is an effective means of concealing haematop-
arasites (e.g. malaria parasite prior to direct examination. It
employs a precisely constructed capillary tube which is
internally coated with EDTA and acridine orange.
The intensity of infection is scored as
+ -
1 – 10 parasites per QBC field
++ -
11 – 100 parasites per QBC field
+++ -
100 parasites per QBC field
Results
A total of two hundred (200) children under five years
of age were enrolled into the study. A summary of the
