Seasonal Variation of Malaria Infections among Outpatients Attending Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital Kano State, Nigeria

Malaria is a serious public health problem in Sub-saharan Africa including Nigeria, with the potential to increase significantly in response to seasonal changes. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of seasonal variations on the prevalence of malaria infection among outpatient attending Muhammad Abdullahi Wase teaching hospital Kano state, Nigeria. The objectives were to establishing the correlation between malaria infections and seasonal variations, and also determining the prevalence during different seasons, and evaluating the gender distribution of infection. The study was carried out from January to December, 2019, involving the use of microscopic examination of 840 blood samples using thick and thin film methods. Out of 840 patients examined (57.1%) had a malaria infection. Wet season had the highest prevalence rate of malaria infection (33.2%) than dry season (23.9%).There was a statistically significant differences (P0.05). Concerning age groups, patients aged 26-30 years had the highest prevalence rate (9.04%), while those aged 40 and above had the lowest. However, the variation in prevalence among age groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05).This study confirmed that malaria infection still remains an important public health problem in the study area. Therefore, full implementation of adequate public health measures need to be undertaken to mitigate the endemicity of the disease, such as the Roll Back Malaria control Strategies as well as health education and environmental modifications are advocated is recommended.