THE CAUSES OF THE HIGH PREVALENCE OF MALARIA FEVER AMONG THE STUDENT OF EDO STATE SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY

ABSTRACT

This research examined the causes of the high prevalence of malaria fever among the student of Edo state school of health technology. The survey research was used in this study to sample the opinion of respondents. This method involved random selection of respondent who were administered with questionnaires. The target population of the study comprised selected students from Edo state school of health technology in Edo State, Nigeria. The questionnaire administered was three hundred and ten (310) copies and three hundred copies (300) retrieved which constitute the sample size. The descriptive and analytical approach was adopted using Chi-square to test and analyze the hypotheses earlier stated. Relevant conceptual, theoretical and empirical literature was reviewed.Findings revealed that there is a significant effect of malaria on the academic performance of students in Nigeria. The finding of the study also reveals that being bitten by anopheles’ mosquito is one of the causes of malaria among students. The findings of the study also reveal thatthere is a significant relationship between the prevalence of malariaand Students Academic Performance in Edo State. The finding of the study also reveals that use of shared and infected syringes is one of the causes of malaria among students. The findings of the study reveal that wearing of long sleeves clothes and long trousers to avoid mosquito bite is one of the ways of preventing malaria. It was therefore concluded that there is a significant effect of malaria on the academic performance of students in Nigeria. It was recommended that the awareness of the people regarding the diseases should be developed. Since education is an important means of vehicle to transform ideas, health education should be explained in the community through formal education in the school curriculum, different media, and community-based organizations.

INTRODUCTION

          Malaria presents a public health paradox. Malaria is a preventable and curable disease and yet more than one million people die from it each year (Eke et al., 2015). There were an estimated 438 000 malaria deaths around the world in 2015, of which approximately 69% were children under 5 years of age (WHO, 2015). Malaria killed 437,000 children before their fifth birthday in 2013, the majority in sub-Saharan Africa (WHO, 2014). The disease still took an estimated 627 000 lives in 2012, mostly those of children under five years of age in Africa. This means 1300 young lives lost to malaria every day-a strong reminder that victory over this ancient foe is still a long way off (WHO, 2013). It is transmitted from person to person through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito that is infected with one of the five species of Plasmodium: Plasmodium falciparum, P. malariae P. ovale, P. vivax, and P. knowlesi; and in Nigeria by Anopheles gambiae complex (Okafor, 2013). These adult female Anopheles mosquitoes are, hence said to be carriers of malaria parasites. Children under five years and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the disease due to their weaker immune systems (WHO, 2000). The treatment of malaria is still problematic and this contributes to worsening burden of the disease in the developing country like Nigeria.

Inspite of age-long efforts to control its devastating menace in Africa and other developing countries afflicted with the disease, the debilitating effects of malaria is still felt today across the globe. It is the widest spread parasitic disease in Sub-Saharan Africa with associated high morbidity and mortality especially among the predisposed population of pregnant women and children of age five years and below as a result of their low level of immunity (WHO, 2010). Malaria is the cause of suffering and premature death in tropical and subtropical countries (Cheesbrough, 2008). This preventable disease has reached epidemic proportions in many regions of the world and continues to spread unchecked (WHO, 1998). Time is now right for rapid scale up to achieve impact toward malaria scourge with the best arsenal available. The incidence of malaria infection has been estimated to be about 500 million infections and 1-3 million infections-related deaths annually (WHO, 2008). It was on record by the (WHO, 2010) that there are 219 million malaria cases in 2010 with an estimated 666 000 deaths; and majority of these deaths occur among children living in Africa where a child dies every minute from malaria. World Health Organization (2008) estimated that about one out of every five Nigerian children dies before theage of five years from malaria. Malaria predominantly affects rural and poor populations that have little or no access to current prevention and treatment tools.

The disease is one of the commonest causes of outpatient attendance across all age groups with about 60% of outpatient visits and 30% hospitalization (WHO, 2010). It is arguably the most prevalent infectious disease and one of the foremost impediments to social and economic development in the world (WHO, 2015). Malaria continues to represent a lifethreatening menace and an economic impediment for about 2 million people in the world. Much of this is due to weak health systems; large scale population movement; deteriorating environmental conditions; climatic change, spreading drug resistance; and in certain cases, uncontrolled development activities (WHO, 2008). According to Onwujekwe et al., (2000) large number of children miss school and as such their educational development is being affected. The pathology of severe disease is partly dependent on the age of the individual, independent of previous exposure (Baired et al., 1998). The disease causes fever, shivering, joint pain, headache, muscle ache, vomiting, malaise and other flu-like symptoms, which can be very incapacitating. In severe cases, patients can have jaundice, kidney failure and anaemia, and can result into a coma in some cases.

Most of the pre-school age children in endemic areas carry malaria parasites without symptoms due to the developing immunity following constant exposure (Barger, 2009 and Smith, 2007). Asymptomatic malaria infection serves as a rich source of malaria transmission in the community; indeed it contributes to the high rate of childhood anaemia and other health problems which have been associated with worse cognitive outcomes (Hay, 2004). Following the scale up of Artemsinin Combination Therapies (ACTs) and Insecticides Treated Nets (ITNs) use in Sub- Saharan Africa, there is growing evidence of decline in malaria transmission, and periodic study are required on malaria epidemiology in endemic settings, Aguata area being one of them. Transmission in the Southeast (Anambra State) part of the country occurs all year round (Eke et al., 2015). In Tanzania, the available data on prevalence of malaria and anaemia among school children was 24.3% and 86.1% respectively. The public health and socio-economic consequences of malaria parasite infection, anaemia and incidence are of considerable global concerns more especially in the rural communities in developing countries where malnutrition, illiteracy, ignorance and other factors complicate the impact and control of the infection.

However, as a result of high prevalence of malaria in Nigeria (Kalu et al., 2012and Okonkwo et al., 2010) and subsequent consequences such as anaemia, death coupled with regular episodes of malaria parasite attack among the pre-school children 1-5 years; malaria was believed to be the root cause of more than 83% mortality and major cause of anaemia in this group of children. There was paucity of literature on association of malaria, incidence and anaemia in Aguata amongst the pre-school children. The study of associciation of malaria and anaemia amongst the children 1-5 years becomes a matter of urgency and also frequency of attack amongst this age group. Based on this background, the present study seeks to examine the causes of the high prevalence of malaria fever among the student of Edo state school of health technology.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

          Malaria has led to high mortality genetics such as anaemia, it has incapacitated several individuals it also affects many organ systems like thenervous system. Malaria is thought to be significantly affecting academic achievement in Edo State, Nigeria. A visit to the health centre revealed that 60% of the students who visit the centre to seek medical attention are found to suffer from malaria.Malaria has led to high mortality genetics such as anaemia, it has incapacitated several individuals it also affects many organ systems like thenervous system. Malaria is thought to be significantly affecting academic achievement in Edo State, Nigeria. A visit to the health centre revealed that 60% of the students who visit the centre to seek medical attention are found to suffer from malaria.It was therefore necessary to conduct a study on the what causes’ malaria in secondary schools in Edo state. It was therefore necessary to conduct a study on the causes of the high prevalence of malaria fever among the student of Edo state school of health technology.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine the causes of the high prevalence of malaria fever among the student of Edo state school of health technology. Other specifics objectives of the study are as follows;

1. To determine the significant effect of malaria on Students Academic Performance in Edo state school.
2. To identify the causes of the high prevalence of malaria fever among the student of Edo state school of health technology.
3. To examine the significant relationship between malaria and Students Academic Performance in Edo state school.
4. To examine the ways of preventing malaria among students in Edo State

1.4 Research Questions

          The following questions were derived from the findings of this study to give a direction;

1. Does malaria significantly affect the students’ Academic Performance in Edo state school?
2. What are the causes of the high prevalence of malaria fever among the student of Edo state school of health technology?
3. Is there a significant relationship between malaria and Students Academic Performance in Edo state school?
4. What are the ways of preventing malaria among students in Edo State?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following were hypothesized;

Hypothesis One

1. there is no effect of malara on Students Academic Performance in Edo state school of health technology.
2. there is no effect of Sickle Cell on Students Academic Performance in Edo state school of health technology.

Hypothesis Two

H0: There is no significant relationship between malara and the students’ Academic Performance in Edo state school of health technology.

H1:There is a significant relationship between malara and the students’ Academic Performance in Edo state school of health technology.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will be of great significance as it will help the general populace to know the causes of the high prevalence of malaria fever among the student of Edo state school of health technology. The findings of this study will help the government, educationalist and the general population to effect of malaria on the academic performance of students.

The findings of this will also help school educators to know the factors that factors that affect the level of academic performance in students with malaria.

The findings of this study will also help educators to know the impact of family function on the academic performance of students.

The findings of this study will fill a dearth in existing literature about the effect of malaria on the academic performance of students.

The findings of this study will also be help to students and other researchers who are interested in this same topic.

1.7 Scope of the Study

          This study is limited to the causes of the high prevalence of malaria fever among the student of Edo state school of health technology. Only students who are Edo state school of health technologywill be adopted for the study.