Prevalence of Malaria Infection in District Dir Lower, Pakistan

Malaria is known to be a major disease since centuries of tropical and subtropical countries particularly Africa and Asia, which continues causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide (Abdul Kareem et al., 2017). A total of 106 countries were endemic for malaria and in 2010 about 216 million cases of malaria occurred and causing expected 655,000 deaths, mostly among African children under 5 years of age (WHO, 2011). Malaria is rare in the developed countries, remains one of the most prevalent Plasmodium infections in the developing and under developed world and about half of the world population lives in malaria endemic regions including countries Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan India, Bangladesh, Africa region, Middle East, Central and South America (Ali and Hashmi, 1997). Four species of Plasmodium, P. malariae, P. falciparum, P. vivax, and P. ovale are responsible for human malaria. But, P. vivax and P. falciparum account for the vast majority of cases However; P. falciparum causes significant mortality (Snow et al., 1999). P. falciparum is widespread (Collins et al., 2012). In addition, most prevailing species in Asia and Africa (Yasinzai and Kakarsulemankhel, 2013). However, in Pakistan Plasmodium infections are mainly attributed to P. vivax and P. falciparum and their primary vectors are Anopheles culicifacies and A. Stephensi (Rathor et al., 2012). Recently, Khattak et al. (2013) reported that Plasmodium infections in Pakistan are frequently due to P. falciparum and P. vivax however, mixed species infections are also dominant. Despite the fact that Pakistan has been classified as a country with moderate malaria incidence and to some degree well-established control plans, however, being a part of malaria prevalent belt (Kreil et al., 2000). Malaria persists as a severe public health issue and an assessed to cause at minimum 50,000 deaths nationwide per year (Khatoon et al., 2009). Several malaria epidemiological studies have been done in different areas of Pakistan, but the epidemiological data from many areas is still missing. The current study was done to investigate the occurrence of malaria infection among the local population of district Lower Dir, Pakistan.

Dir Lower is part of Malakand Division and lays in Hindukush range with an area of 1583 square km. It is located at latitudes 35°-10’ to 35°-16’N and longitude 71°-50’ to 71°-83’ E with an elevation from 1200m to 2800m. Panjkora River flows in the middle of the valley across the district (WFP, 2011). It is situated with Valley of Swat to the east, Dir upper in the North, Bajawar agency in the west and District Malakand to South. The population is 1.037 million (Khan et al., 2016). Dir lower is divided into seven tehsils namely Timergara, Balambat, Lalqila, Adenzai, Munda, Khall and Samarbagh (Wahab et al., 2008). Climatic conditions of Dir lower shows that June is hottest month temperature (38 to 24°C), while January is the coldest months the temperature 13°C and 3°C in 2013. Relative Humidity is higher in January 89-49 and lowest humidity in June 49-33. The study area map showed in Figure 1.

Malaria cases were detected by the technique adopted by (Manson-Bahr and Bell, 1987), thin and thick blood films were prepared by taking the blood of suspected patients from the selected localities of the study area (Table 1). From each locality, 250 blood samples were collected based on age and gender. From age one to 10 years mix age (boys and girls), from age11-30 and 31-above male and female each were selected separately. Blood slides were stained with Giemsa in laboratory. However, the Plasmodium species were identified with the help of keys (Sood, 1989; Paniker-Jayaram, 2002).

Table 1: Tehsils wise prevalence of malaria.

A total of 1750 blood samples of patients were collected from various hospitals in district Dir. The positive cases recorded were 214 (12.2%) among which 193(90%) blood samples were containing P. vivax and 21(9.81%) were infected with P. falciparum.

Tehsil wise Prevalence of malarial infection was found higher in tehsil Timergara (15.2%), Lalqila has 14%, Khall has 12.8%, Munda has 12%, Balambat has 11.2%, Adenzai has 10.8% and lowest incidence rate of malaria infection was found in tehsil Samarbagh (9.6%) (Table 1; Figure 2).

Total 415 blood sample were collected from children of both the genders among which 62(14.9%) were identified positive for malarial parasite. Moreover, 335 blood samples collected from males of age 11-30 years were found with 38(11.34%) positive cases whereas in 31≥ years 385 blood samples collected in which 52(13.50%) were positive. Additionally, 290 blood sample collected from females of 11-30 years, 27(9.30%) were found positive for malaria parasite and 325 blood samples from 31≥ years had 35(10.76%) malaria prevalence. Children were recorded highest rate of malaria. Overall prevalence noticed was 214(12.2%) in district Dir (Table 2; Figure 3).

Table 2: Gender wise prevalence of malaria.

In the current study, P. vivax was found the most prevalent in children (90.33%) and P. falciparum was recorded the least one (8%). Among the males were comparatively found more effected than females (88%) by P. vivax whereas females were affected (11.2%) by P. falciparum, which is higher than in the children (8%) and males (10%). General trend of results indicate that P.vivax is highly prevalent species of malaria parasite in the human population of district lower Dir (Table 3; Figure 4).

The month wise prevalence of malarial infection was found highest in August (21.37%) and the recorded temperature was 34.29ᵒC, humidity 66.5% and rainfall 6.64mm noticed is believed supporting factors for such a higher result. The lowest rate of infection was found in January (4.8%) also the temperature (14.14ᵒC), rainfall (0.20mm) and humidity 69% recorded was the least. (Table 4; Figure 5).

Table 3: Species wise prevalence of malaria.

Table 4: Months wise prevalence of malaria.

The present study were conducted on malarial disease in District Dir Lower from January to December 2013. Malarial infection is one of the serious health issues in Pakistan. In the current study, the prevalence of malarial parasite, P. vivax was higher (90%) while the P. falciparum (9.81%) lower. We consider that the Plasmodium vivax is the major species responsible for malarial infection in District Dir Lower. Similarly the study reported (WHO, 2011) P. falciparum (61%) and P. vivax are most common (95%) from India, Indonesia and Myanmar. Mohammad and Hussan reported the P. falciparum (1.08%) and P. vivax (5.78%) in general population in Buner District. Idris et al. (2007) stated patient at Ayub teaching hospital Abbottabad P. Vivax (72.4%), P. falciparum 24.1 % mixed infection was seen in 3.44%. In the present study, the Age wise prevalence was higher in children (14.9%) due to low socio-economic conditions, which may be due to different geographical climatic factors. Suleman (2012) described the occurrence of malaria was highest in children (5.52%) in age group of 5-9 years, intermediate (3.37%) in age group of 10-14 years and lower (2.2%) in age group of 15-19 years, though the differences were not significant. Saleem et al. (2006) reported in KPK it was observed that cerebral malaria was more common in males (64%) and most vulnerable group was pregnant women. Yasinzai and Kakarsulemankhel (2009) reported total of 3765 blood samples 26.8% were found positive for malarial parasite. The incidence was higher (75.9%) in males, which is parallel to current result. Mohammad and Hussan (2011) reported months wise prevalence was higher in August (11.66%) and lowest march (3.98%) in district Buner. In the present study months wise prevalence was higher in August (21.37%) due to maximum rainfall and humidity and minimum cases were noted in January (4.8%). Pakistan is a tropical country where the most of peoples have agriculture profession. In rainfall season, the water accumulates and provides better condition for the mosquito breeding. The rate of malaria infection was high in the monsoon season from July to November. The results of our study are comparable with the results of others studies.

It’s concluded that Plasmodium vivax is the major species responsible for malarial infection in District Dir Lower. Consequently, the children under the age of ten years were found highly effected and implicated with weak immunity and poor hygienic conditions. Which needs immediate attention to take preventive measures.

We are thankful to the Qazi Laboratory, DHQ Hospital for facilities of lab for collection of sample from the local populations.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.