| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
|
| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 3 | Page : 168-175 |
|
|
Family bio-social variables associated with severe malaria disease among under-five children in resource-poor setting of a rural hospital in Eastern Nigeria
Gabriel Uche Pascal Iloh1, Abali Chuku2, Agwu Nkwa Amadi3, John Nnaemeka Ofoedu1
1 Department of Family Medicine, Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
2 Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
3 Public Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Gabriel Uche Pascal Iloh
Department of Family Medicine, Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, Abia State
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2278-344X.120585
|
|
|
Background: Malaria threatens the lives of under-five in rural Nigerian families. Although factors that influence malaria in under-five are manifold, family bio-social factors may contribute to the variability of the clinical picture. Aim: To determine family bio-social variables associated with severe malaria among under-five children in a resource-poor setting of a rural hospital in Eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on the families of under-five managed for malaria. Data extracted included family bio-social variables and diagnosis. An under-five child was defined to have malaria if the mother gave complaints of fever, vomiting and other symptoms suggestive of malaria, had body temperature exceeding 37.5C with the asexual forms of Plasmodium falciparum detected on the peripheral blood film. Severe malaria is the malaria that presents with life-threatening features like severe anemia and cerebral malaria. Results: The prevalence of severe malaria was 31.8%. The family bio-social variables significantly associated with severe malaria were maternal low level of education (P = 0.031), family size >4 (P = 0.044), low social class of the family (P = 0.025), non-living together of parents (P = 0.011), and poor access to health facilities (P = 0.038). The most significant predictor of severe malaria was non-living together of parents (P = 0.000, OR = 3.08, CI = 1.64-5.10). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that some family bio-social variables are associated with severe malaria. These families should constitute at risk families that could be targeted for malaria interventional programs. |
|
|
|
| [FULL TEXT] [PDF]* |
|
 |
|
