Asma Abdul Latif, Ejaz Ahmad Khan, Khalid Khan, Maryam Hamid, Rafia Tabasum, Azka Tabasum, Qamar Sultana, Farkhanda Manzoor, Saleem Muhammad Rana.
Prevalence of Malaria in Lahore:a cross-sectional study.
Pak J Public Health Jan ;6(1):69-73.

Background: Malaria is a vector-borne disease caused by protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium. P.vivax and P. falciparum are prevalent in Pakistan. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of P. vivax and P. falciparum in blood of human males, non-pregnant and pregnant females among rural and urban population of Lahore. Methods: Nine hundred (300 from male, 300 non-pregnant females, 300 pregnant), finger prick blood samples were collected from suspected patients during April to July from rural and urban population of Lahore. Results: We found that VI% males, 7% non-pregnant females, and 8% pregnant females were infected. Prevalence was higher in the age group 18-27 years. Among positive samples, most of the non-pregnant females (903%), males (78%), and pregnant females (8%) were infected with P.vivax. All patients showed different signs and symptoms such as fever, headache, chill and vomiting. It was also observed that prevalence of malaria was significantly higher in rural areas, and in areas where proper sewerage system was not available. Socio-economic status of positive cases was middle or lower class with limited income ranging Pak rupees 5000-15,000 per month. They were unable to afford to adapt preventive measures like use of mosquito repellents, insecticide treated bed nets etc. Conclusion: Our study reveals that malaria is prevalent in rural areas of Lahore and necessary preventive measures are to be in place. Keywords: Frequency, mosquito, infection, plasmodium vivax, plasmodium falciparum, developing country.

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