Patterns of Plasmodium falciparum among Settled Fulani Pastoralists in Rivers State, Nigeria

Aims: To establish the current status and control management of malaria infection among Fulani Pastoralists in their various bush encampments in Rivers State, Nigeria.
Study Design: Cross –sectional, descriptive study.
Place and Duration of Study: Six bush encampments in Rivers State, Nigeria, between November 2009 and January 2011.
Methodology: Thick and thin blood films were made and stained using parasitological standard procedures to identify malaria parasites. Packed cell volume estimation was determined with the use of hematocrit centrifuge and microhematocrit reader. Malaria control measures and personal data were collected through questionnaires. Data was analyzed statistically using ANOVA to test for significance and a P- value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Plasmodium falciparum was the only species of malaria parasite identified in the sampled group. Overall prevalence showed that 464 (78.2%) of the sampled Fulani Pastoralists were infected with malaria infection. Male herdsmen were more infected 79.9% than females 75.4% (p<0.05). prevalence rates of 79.2%, 80.2%, 81.8% and 79.8% were observed among the age group 1-10,11-20, 21-30 and 31-40 respectively (P>0.05). A total of 216 (46.6%) of the infected pastoralists had moderate parasite density and was higher among males. Low Packed cell volume (PCV) in the population was 18.4% and was higher among the age group 21-30 years. Data revealed that 10.5% of the examined used insecticide treated nets however, the use of mosquito coil and burning of medicinal leaves were the major preventive measures in the sampled population.
Conclusion: Educating the herdsmen on malaria infection, prevention and control through environmental management as well as ensuring access to basic health care such as free anti-malaria drugs and long lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (IITN) which is the goal of malaria control programme will help to alleviate malaria infection among this group.