Prevalence of Malaria Parasites among Nnamdi Azikwe University Students and Anti-Malaria Drug Use

The prevalence of malaria parasites and antimalarial drug of choice wereinvestigated among students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State between February and May, 2008. A total of 800 blood samples were randomly collected from students aged 17-31 years. Thick films were prepared and microscopic examination carried out. In addition, structured questionnaires were administered to the same students whose blood were being screened. The result showed that a total of 512 (64%) students made up of 284 males and 228 females were infected. The difference in infection were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Information from the questionnaire revealed that antimalarial drugs used by the students include Chloroquine (8.50%), sulphonamides {Amalar , Fansidar , Malareich and Maloxine } (41.50%), Artesunate and Artemisinin based combination {Coartem and Camosunate } (26.00%) and native herbs {mixtures ofcrude extracts from Morida lucida and Azardirachta indica leaves}(24.00%). The study also revealed factors governing drugs by the students which include cost of drugs (26.00%), effectiveness of drugs (19.00%), availability of drugs (12.50%) and adverse reaction to drugs (3.50%). Government should therefore intensify efforts geared towards control of malaria among students.