Entomological And Parasitological Indices Of Malaria Parasite Transmission In Imo State Polytechnic Omuma, Oru East, Nigeria

Abstract

The study conducted between May and September of 2023 examined entomological and parasitological indicators of malaria parasite transmission in order to identify the predominant mosquito species and establish the malaria endemicity in the vicinity of Imo State Polytechnic Omuma. The Pyrethrum Spray Catch (PSC) was utilized to collect adult mosquitoes. Various mosquito species were gathered, categorized, and recognized. To detect the presence of a malaria parasite in the blood film stained with Giemsa stain, blood samples were taken from the same students whose rooms were utilized for the entomological survey during the parasitological study. Both the T-test and the Chi-square were used to assess the data. In all, 297 mosquitoes were detected in the research region (table 1), of which 230 Culex quinquefasciatus represented (77.4%) and 67 Anopheles gambiae (22.6%). The study was conducted at eight (8) sites. Comparing the results with the Anopheles gambiae recorded from the same site, Table 2b demonstrates that Culex quinquefasciatus had the highest prevalence and was substantially different at p<0.05. According to the results of the parasitological investigation, when 21 (42.0%) of the students residing in the hostel had their malaria parasite infection checked, 18 (85.7%) tested positive and 3 (14.3%) tested negative. When 29 students (58.0%) who were staying in the lodges had their malaria parasite infection checked, 23 (79.3%) of them tested positive, and 6 (20.7%) tested negative. Among the 50 learners randomly selected for parasitological analysis from the study’s school hostels and lodges, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the number of students who tested positive. The percentage of mosquito abundance and falciparum malaria presence found in this study are significant for public health. In order to develop strategies for the control of mosquito-borne diseases in Imo State Polytechnic Omuma and its surroundings, this study offers helpful baseline data.