Authors : D. A. OJO and C. F. Mafiana
Abstract: Investigations were conducted on the aspect of seasonal pattern of malaria infection in Abeokuta, the capital city of Ogun State located in the forest zone of Southwest Nigeria. Using longitudinal study, blood samples were examined in children < 15 years, for malaria parasitaemia, Seasonal variation in malaria fever and mosquito abundance were investigated. Observations from the longitudinal study carried out between October 2000 and September 2001 showed that of the 3,997 feverish cases recorded 82.4% was due to malaria. Fever and malaria were significantly higher in the wet than the dry season (P < 0.0001). Fever significantly correlated with malaria all year round (P = 0.0005). Of the 3290 mosquitoes caught by human bait between September 2001 and August 2002, 48% were Anopheles species, while 88% of theAnopheles species was An. gambiae.This species is considered the main vector in the study area. Mosquito abundance was significantly higher in the wet than dry season (P < 0.0001), while the mean biting density was higher in the high density than low density areas of the city (P < 0.0001). Also mosquito abundance significantly correlated with rainfall (P = 0.002) and relative humidity (P = 0.01) but not with temperature (P = 0.745).
OJO, D. A. and Mafiana, C. F. , 2005. Seasonal Pattern of Malaria Fever Among Children in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria . Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 3: 572-576.