malaria

Malaria is the principal killer of children under the age of five in the Delta region, killing 3 out of 10. Endemic Falciparum malaria is the most clinically important, responsible for the majority of deaths attributable to malaria. Whilst malaria is controllable and curable the riverine people of the Niger Delta are remote and patients mostly have to be paddled by canoe for several hours to reach any medical facility.

Further complicating the picture is the cost of medical care and the problems posed by local resistance to first-line treatment, the plethora of fake drugs available, and poor education surrounding treatment options.  Children who are taken to local fetish healers can be subjected to having their leg put into a fire, or urination from the mother directly into the childs mouth.

Falciparum malaria causes many deaths through cerebral involvement, the patient suffering fatal seizures in addition to systemic organ failure.

A recent survey showed over 50% of people in rural Nigeria believing that malaria was caught through sunlight exposure. This ignorance of vector spread means there is no attempt to eradicate breeding grounds for the mosquito, or take simple preventative measures to avoid infection.  Further to these difficulties Health Care workers are few and far between, the area holding little attraction for indigenous Professionals with poor working conditions, support and career opportunities.

Acute medical care is critical as malaria can be rapidly fatal. Through poor compliance and inappropriate use, many areas are now resistant to the cheaper, more readily available medicines. Poverty and availability makes the more expensive, and effective regimes out of the reach of many.

Complications of malaria, convulsions, anaemia, dehydration, vomiting and breathing difficulties need specialist help, and without it mortality is high.

Rapid Diagnostic Testing for malaria in febrile children - a short study