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Abstract

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that malaria is associated with blood groups. Thus, this study was to investigate the distribution of malaria parasitaemia in relation to blood groups among febrile patients who sought medical attention at a Nigerian Military Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Thick and thin blood films were made from each blood sample, and blood groups were determined by a standard tube agglutination technique. Out of 246 blood samples examined, 172 (69.92%) were infected with malaria parasites, while 74 (30.08%) were not infected. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the distribution of malaria parasitaemia in relation to blood groups. The malaria parasitaemia was highest in blood group O+ with 31.71%. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in malaria parasitaemia in relation to sex. Females had the highest malaria parasitaemia of 36.99%. Malaria parasitaemia in relation to age groups showed no significant difference (p > 0.05); however, the age group 41 years and above had the highest parasitaemia of 19.92%. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in malaria parasitaemia in relation to Plasmodium species. Plasmodium falciparum was the most occurring species (67.07%) among the patients with parasitaemia. Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax were found to infect more females than males. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the severity of malaria parasitaemia among the patients, with mild infection being the most common at 36.59%. This work revealed that both males and females of all blood groups are at risk of malaria; therefore, malaria prophylactic and therapeutic strategies should be directed at all patients without discrimination based on blood groups.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1: Malaria among patients attending Nigerian Military Hospital, Jos.
Figure 2
Figure 2: Distribution of malaria parasitaemia in relation to blood groups.
Figure3
Figure3: Distribution of malaria parasitaemia in relation to Sex.
Figure 4
Figure 4: Distribution of malaria parasitaemia in relation to age groups.
Figure 5
Figure 5: Distribution of malaria parasitaemia in relation to Plasmodium species.
Figure 6
Figure 6: Distribution of malaria parasitaemia in relation to severity of the infection.

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