MALARIA

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY IN FATA AREAS OF KHYBERPUKHTUNKHWAH PAKISTAN

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria is second most life threatening disease in the world. It
shows highest morbidity rate among serious illness including tuberculosis etc. Pakistan is at
high risk of this disease giving very rise high frequency of Malaria victims in rural areas of
Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan. Due to its severe epidemics in specific
regions they are termed as malarious areas of a country. Objectives: Main purpose of the study
was to find out prevalence (p-value) of malaria in local community of FR Bannu region visited to
basic health clinics. Study Design: In current survey based epidemiological descriptive study,
we analyzed valuable data of malaria epidemic and its prevalence in selected areas of FATA (FR
Bannu) region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa via questionnaire & personal interaction. Study Period:
The study was conducted in the months of June 2014 to August 2014. Material & Methods:
Followed questionnaire against gender, age, seasonal, area & specie wise protocol survey.
Results: Results showed (P > 0.05) ranging variables including high number of plasmodium
vivax strain over plasmodium falciparum, gender comparison was dominant by male against
females, age wise effect of pathogenic strain upon infants and old aged peoples, seasonal
occurrence and its prevalence was less in cold months and in start of summer season where
the data of rural areas was at its peak risk. Conclusion: It is concluded that pregnant ladies and
infants are at high risk in such areas, so more care and control programs for malaria eradication
are needed in selected areas of Pakistan.