"Malaria Situation in Tharu and Yadav Communities of Kapilvastu District"

Abstract

The present study entitled “Malaria situation and it’s control in Tharu and Yadav community of Kapilvastu district” was conducted to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices of people regarding malaria using structured questionnaire and blood film preparation in Gugauli VDC of Kapilvastu district. A total of 360 blood samples were collected from three different wards in the month of April-May, June-July and Aug.-Sept. 2006 and examined. Out of 360 blood samples examined for malaria parasites, 21 positive cases were detected. Out of 360 blood samples examined for malaria, a total of 220 blood samples of Tharu community were examined. Out of this, 8 (3.63%) slides were found to be positive for malaria parasites. Out of 360 blood samples were examined species-wise only infected by P. vivax. A total of 140 blood samples of Yadav community were examined. Out of this, 13 (9.28%) samples were found to be positive for malaria parasites. The prevalence of malaria infections was higher in Yadav community (9.28%) than that of Tharu community (3.63%). Regarding sex-wise distribution of malaria parasites, Yadav males (6.42%) were found to be more infected than Tharu males (2.72%) while Yadav females (2.85%) were more infected than Tharu females (1.36%). The prevalence rates of malaria infection in males of both the communities were found to be higher (3.88%) than females (1.94%) in both Yadav and Tharu community. According to age-wise distributions of malaria infections the highest positivity was recorded in the age-group 11-30 years in both the communities, whereas the lowest positivity was encountered in the age group below 10 years and 51+ years in both the communities. The prevalence of malaria infections was found to be highest among people who do not use bed-nets and are not aware of knowledge about this disease. During the study period it has been noted that people of both the communities often use smoke of dung cake, khar, leaf of Sekhuwa and black berry to avoid mosquito biting.