Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum Among New Intakes in the Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

This study investigated the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum among new intake of the Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama during January-March, 2017. Blood samples were collected through venal puncture. A 2.5ml part of blood was collected from each student and transferred into an anti- coagulant bottle. Malaria parasites were determined using Pf malaria rapid test kitsanda standard microscopy. The preparation of the test kits and microscopy followed standard procedures. Determination of positive slides followed standard techniques. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Malaria was positive slides were 15.49% of the total slides. Plasmodium falciparum accounted for 100% of all the positive cases. Male (18.75%) were more infected than female (12.82%). The difference was significant (χ 2cal = 16.68, p<0.05). The prevalence of P. falciparum varies with the age across age group. The age bracket29-31(25.0%) had more prevalence, followed by age bracket 17-19 (17.65%). Least prevalence (9.09%) was recorded among age bracket 23-25. Differences were not significant (χ 2cal = 7.96, p>0.05). Prevalence of P. falciparum varied across departments. The differences were statistically significant (χ 2cal = 57.71, p>0.05). The result is a public health concern and call for prompt intervention