A comparative study of Malaria cases visiting government district hospital and private clinics at Parasi, Nawalparasi district

Abstract

The present study was conducted with an aim to compare the malaria cases among the people visiting Government District Hospital (GDH) and Private Clinics (PCs) at Parasi in Western Nepal. During study period, two hundred and thirty six blood samples were collected from the suspected individuals visiting GDH and PCs. Thick and thin blood smears were examined microscopically followed by questionnaire survey. Out of 236 blood samples, 4 were positive for malaria infection i.e. 1.69% of slide positivity, with 3 cases of P. vivax and 1 case of P. falciparum. The positivity rate was higher (4.9%) in Private Clinics although the number of people visiting were higher in GDH (72.88%) than in PCs (27.12%). The KAP data revealed that the people visiting PCs were found more informative to malaria than those visiting GDH. Age-wise positivity was recorded the highest in the 31-40 years of age-group (4.17%). Male and female positivity ratio was 3:1. The occupation-wise malaria cases were found to be highest among farmers (3.44%) followed by servicemen (2.86%) and housewife (1.78%). Out of total positive cases, 3 cases were from Hindu population and 1 from others. The high rate of malaria infection was recorded during the months of August – October. Government District Hospital should be empowered and mobilized with public participation to eradicate malaria.