Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Occurrence of Malaria Related Musculoskeletal Pain and Knowledge of Malaria among Patients of a Private Hospital in Owerri, Imo State
by Chigbo Udoka Nkenna, Ajero, Chigbo Medo, Ukaga, C.N.

Abstract:
Malaria is a serious public burden that present with several symptoms. This study ascertaining the occurrence of malaria related musculoskeletal pain (MSP) and knowledge of malaria among patients attending a private hospital in Owerri, Imo State Nigeria. A well- structured, validated questionnaire providing data on the aim of the study was administered to 175 consenting patients 10 years and above. Descriptive and chi-square statistics were used in the analysis of results generated. The respondents had a mean age of 40.05 years consisting of 61.17% females and 38.29% males. The result showed that 126 (72.00%) respondents had experienced muscle pain with 81 (64.29%) of them acknowledging experience it with only malaria infection (malaria-related musculoskeletal pain).Female respondents reported significantly higher cases of malaria-associated MSP (67.11%) than males (60.00), p>0.05. The respondents of 60 years and above reported non-significant, but most MSP (72.73%), while the least (50%) was recorded in 20-29 years old patients, (p>0.05). The result revealed that the respondents acknowledged awareness of malaria. On the possible cause of malaria, there was significant variation on the possible causes of malaria (p<0.05) with 130 (74.29%) and 29.71% (52) associating malaria to bites of infected mosquitoes and Plasmodium species infection respectively. The result revealed Musculoskeletal pain was commonly attributed to occupation (32.57%), old age (29.14%), malaria (25.71%) and accident (27.14%) (p<0.05). Besides visiting the village health centers and clinics by 58.57% for medical attention when infected with malaria, the respondents acknowledged patronizing drug stores and pharmacy (48.86%), traditional healing houses/herbalist (10.86%) and self-medicating (6.86%). The data generated will encourage the acceptance of incorporating MSP in the clinical algorithm for malaria diagnosis and provide tools for development control and treatment programme.

Keywords: Malaria, Muscle Pain, Knowledge, Health Seeking Behaviour, Nigeria

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