PREVALENCE OF HUMAN MALARIA INFECTION IN BORDERING AREAS OF BALOCHISTAN WITH SINDH PROVINCE: DISTRICT JAFFARABAD

Objective: The present study was designed to assess the prevalence of malarial infections in human population of district Jaffarabad, the hottest areas of Balochistan, Pakistan. Methodology: The study was conducted in district Jaffarabad (10 localities) from July, 2006 to June, 2008. Malarial parasites were identified in the blood slides of 6283 suspected patients of the disease. Results: Out of 6283 suspected cases of malaria, 2968 (47.2%) were found to be positive for malarial parasite in blood smear slides. Out of positive cases, 2407 (81%) were identified as Plasmodium vivax infection, 561 (18.9%) cases with P. falciparum. However, seasonal variation was also noted with the highest (250/274) infection of P. vivax in April and lowest (172/249) in December. The prevalence was higher (77.9%) in males. Age wise, the prevalence of the disease was 84.3% in the age group of 1-10 years and 81% in the age group of 11-20 years. There was no case of P. malariae and P. ovale detected in the present study. No association was found between types of infection and age groups. Conclusion: In clinically suspected cases of malaria, slide positivity rate is high. The high prevalence rate of P. vivax poses a significant health hazard but of P. falciparum also may lead to serious complications like cerebral malaria. The high frequency of human malaria infection should be of great concern for authorities at malaria control program in Pakistan.