Co-Infection Of Malaria And Typhoid Fever In Ekwulumili Community Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria.

Abstract

A study of co-infection of typhoid and malaria fevers was carried out in Ekwulumili Community, Nnewi South, L.G.A., Anambra State, Nigeria, between May and July, 2012. Venous blood samples were collected from apparently healthy individuals who did not show any signs and symptoms of malaria and typhoid fevers. A total of 200 subjects comprising 52 (25%) males and 148(74%) females were examined. Field stained thick and thin blood films were used to detect malaria parasites in the samples. Typhoid fever was diagnosed from each blood sample using widal test kit. Of the 200 participants sampled, 40(20%) tested positive for malaria, 11 (5.5%) tested positive for typhoid fever and 10(5.0%) were co-infected with malaria and typhoid fevers. More females (5.41%) than the males (3.85%) were co-infected with typhoid and malaria fevers. There was no significant difference in the coinfection of malaria and typhoid fever between the genders (P≥0.05). The co-infection of malaria and typhoid fever was highest in the age group 41-50 years (8.82%) and absent in the age groups 61-70 and 71-80 years. Among the occupational groups, traders had the highest co-infection (9.90%) while no case of co-infection was observed among the teachers. There was no significant difference in the co-infection of malaria and typhoid fevers among the occupational groups (P≥0.05). Among the villages, the co-infection was highest at Umudim village (6.67%) and least at Urueze village (4.44%). There was no significant difference in the co-infection of malaria and typhoid fevers among the villages (P≥0.05). Improvement of sanitary conditions, personal hygiene and reduction in malaria vector and housefly breeding sites were suggested for reduction of the transmission of the diseases.