Comparative Analysis of Malaria Cases Visiting Government and Private Health Facilities at 3 VDC¬¬s of Siraha District

Abstract

The present study was conducted from August 2007 to October 2008 to compare the malaria cases between government and private health facilities at 3 VDCs (Kalyanpur Jabdi, Itari Parsahi and Bishnupur Pra. Ra.) of Siraha district. These VDCs lie in the region of Eastern Nepal. The study was carried out by observing about 150 malaria probable cases at each 3 VDCs which were registered in both government and Private health facilities. Thus the total of 450 probable malaria cases were observed from the study area of which 209 cases from the government health facilities and 241 cases from the private health facilities. The questionnaire method was also used to assess the socio-economic status in relation to malaria. Out of 209 probable malaria cases, there was no infection of malaria in the government health facilities whereas 14(5.80%) cases were found to be positive in the private health facilities from 241 probable malaria cases. The positivity rate was found to be 3.11% of the total samples. In private health facilities, 13 cases were of P. vivax (2.88%) and 1 case (0.22%) of P. falciparum of the total samples. In private health facilities the age wise data revealed that the total infected population, the highest positivity rate was found in (41-50) year’s age group (7.14%). Similarly in relation to sex, the positivity rate was 2.44% in males and 0.22% in females of the total samples. The malaria was found to be higher in poor (2%) and (1.11)% in moderate class of total samples. The malaria infection was found to be higher in Hindu 2.88% and lower in Muslims 0.22% of total samples. Likewise malaria infection was higher in illiterate 1.55%, occupation wise malaria was found highest in farmers 1.11% and no infection among job holders 0% of total samples. The visiting rate of patients was found to be higher in private health facilities (50.88%) than in government health facilities (49.11%). The slide method diagnostic tools were observed to be used in government health facilities while antigen detector RDTs method was applied by private health facilities to confirm malaria. The medicines for malaria prescribed by both government and private health facilities were Chloroquine, Primaquine, Amoxicillin and Ciprofloxacilin of some Nepalese and Indian Companies.