Saudi Journal of Medicine (SJM)
Volume-3 | Issue-03 | 112-115
Original Research Article
A Study on Prevalence of Malaria in Pediatric Patients of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences [RIMS], Adilabad
K Ananth Rao, Mohd Inayatulla Khan
Published : March 30, 2018
Abstract
Malaria is one of the important diseases affecting several areas in India especially in the tribal and interior forest regions causing great morbidity and mortality. The National Vector-Borne Disease Control Program [NVBDCP] was launched in 2003-04 to control all vector-borne diseases, however seasonal and local outbreaks, especially in tribal areas, are common. This study was done to determine the prevalence of malaria during Aug-Nov 2015 season outbreak of malaria in tribal regions of Adilabad district of Telangana State. The objective of the study was to understand the type of malaria in the pediatric patients and the treatment is done and the outcomes. Methods: The study was done in Department of RIMS Adilabad during the seasonal outbreak of malaria from August to November 2015 and all the patients detected with malaria, its treatment and complications were recorded and analyzed. Results: a total of 3361 patients have admitted in the pediatric wards for various illnesses out of which 201 patients had malaria. The prevalence of malaria in the pediatric ward patients was 6.25%. The most commonly affected age group was 5 to 10 years recording highest number (n= 73) 36.32% of the total number of cases recorded. In male out of 113 cases, 38 cases (33.63%) belonged to 5 -10 years of age group. In females, 35 out of total 88 cases (39.77%) were in 5 -10 years of age group. out of 201 patients 164 patients (81.59%) had developed P. falciparum malaria indicating this is the predominant form of malaria present in this group of the population. Similarly, P. vivax was recorded in 19 (9.45% of the patients) and 18 (8.96%) had both the type of parasites in the peripheral smears. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study it can be concluded that the prevalence of P. facliparum malaria is very common in tribal Adilabad district. There is a higher prevalence of malaria-related complications in pediatric patients. There is an urgent need to educate the people and create awareness among the tribal people regarding the growth and spread of malaria. This will reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality due to malaria in this region.