Malaria infirmity among neonates of rural and urban areas of district Kohat, KPK, Pakistan

Abstract

Malaria is serious blood infection caused by Plasmodium species transmitted by vector i.e. female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria-infected pregnant mother is always at higher risk of fetal abortion, low birth weight and premature birth which may even leads to death of neonate. A total of 500 blood samples were collected randomly from different locations of district Kohat. About 290 (58.00%) were male while 210 (42%) were female neonates. Total 8(1.60%) neonates were found positive for the malaria infection. Out of which 1(0.02%) was positive for the infection of Plasmodium falciparum while 7 (1.4%) were positive for the infection of vivax. Neonates from rural areas are at higher risk of Malaria infection particularly those whose mother is malaria positive at the time of pregnancy. Those people who do not protect their newly born babies from mosquitoes were at higher risk of malaria infection. Mother should be properly diagnosed and treated prior to get pregnant. During pregnancy mother should take preventive measures i.e. use of mosquito repellents and anti-mosquito nets. Newly born babies should be handled very carefully to protect him from the bite of mosquitos.