PREVALENCE OF HUMAN MALARIA

Malaria is one of the devastating diseases worldwide. More than 3 billion peoplelive under the threat of malaria in endemic countries and kills more than one million each year.Malaria leads to multiple hematological (thrombocytopenia) and other abnormalities like renalsystem, nervous system with increased morbidity and mortality. Aim: The present study wasconducted to determine the prevalence of human malaria, its correlation with thrombocytopeniaand treatment in patients of District Rahim Yar Khan. Materials and Methods: A total of 200patients including 140 males and 60 females were the part of our study. Blood samples collectionwas done during September to November following monsoon season. Patients were diagnosedthrough peripheral blood smear. Both P. falciparum and P. vivax parasites against 300 white bloodcells (WBCs) were examined on the thick smear. Platelet count was done by using an automatedcell count analyzer. A platelet count of less than 150 x109/L defined thrombocytopaenia. Firstline of treatment was Chloroquine in cases of Plasmodium vivax whereas Neo fansidar incases of Plasmodium falciparum. Results: Gender wise distribution of patients was 140 (70%)males and 60(30%) females. We had 74 (37%) patients from urban and 126 (63%) from ruralpopulation. Malaria was most frequent 64% by P.vivax and 36% by P.falciparum. Fever was highduring admission to hospital and after usage of antimalarials recovery and improvement innumber of platelets was noted. Conclusion: The high prevalence rate of P. vivax pose a majorhealth hazard but of P. falciparum also may lead to serious complications. The high frequencyof human malaria infection should be a major concern for authorities in the fight against malariacontrol programs in Pakistan.