Jornal Europeu de Biologia Experimental Acesso livre

Abstrato

The rate of distribution of malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) among HIV positive individuals visiting Saint Theresa’s Hospital Abakpa Nike Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria

A. C. Nwuzo, O. Ogbu1, I. R. Iroha1, F. N. Afiukwa1, M. C. Ominyi, A. C. Uhuo and M. E. Ogbanshi

A total of 54 blood samples were collected from HIV positive patients visiting Saint Theresa’s hospital Abakpa Nike Enugu. They were screened for the presence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) using commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits (ACON Diagnostic, USA and Biosystem, USA) and parasitological examination of blood stained films respectively. The HIV positive samples were further confirmed by a second stage confirmatory test using two rapid tests with different principles (Capillus HIV ½ Assay, Trinity Biotech Ireland and Determine kits, Japan Co. Ltd). The subjects were made up of 24 males and 30 females. Of the 54 seropositive samples for HIV, only 31 (57.41%) blood samples were positive for malaria (P. falciparum). The highest percentage occurrence of 10 (83.33%) and 5 (71.43%) of the coinfection were recorded among the age groups 21-30 years and 31-40 years respectively. Occupationally, students were more infected 23 (42.59%) with HIV while applicants and farmers had the highest prevalence of malaria infection with 3(75%) and 4 (80%) respectively. Divorced and singles yielded high percentage prevalence of 15 (65%) and 13 (52%) while the least prevalence was seen among married patients 3 (50%). The analysis of use, non-use of mosquito treated nets and insecticides showed that the patients used none of the two had 21 (70%) prevalence compared to HIV positive patients that used MTNs 5 (38.46%) and insecticides 5 (45.45%). The result also revealed high percentage prevalence of 21 (63.64%) among the illiterate while the least prevalence was recorded among the literate 10 (47.62%).