Comparative Analysis in Utilizing Different Diagnostic Methods for Plasmodium falciparum Detection within Owerri Municipal, Imo State, Nigeria

Malaria is one of the major public health issues in Africa as its affects human beings at different levels. However, any wrong diagnosis of malaria infection can lead to severe ill health, and death of the infected individual. This study was carried out to compare different diagnostic methods of malarial detection within owerri municipal in Imo State Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from patients and diagnosed via microscopy, antigen assay technique and polymerase chain reaction. About 200 blood samples were obtained utilizing the Ethylenediamine tetracetic acid (EDTA) bottles and examined. In 200 blood samples, microscopy had 75 total positive and Antigen assay had 83 while, PCR had 94 However, a percentage prevalence of about 37% was obtained from microscopy though, about 41.5% were observed in Antigen Assay and 47% for a Polymerase chain reaction. There was high malaria prevalence recorded in relation to age within the age range of 31 to 40. The Sensitivity and specificity of the three diagnostic methods show that PCR had the highest for both while, microscopy had the least sensitivity followed by RDT. Moreover, positive predictive value and negative predictive value assessments were analyzed. The results showed that Microscopy has a 0.2% chance of missing a truly positive and antigen assay has 0.1% while, PCR has 0%. Therefore, more emphasis should be given to PCR as the possibility of an error during diagnosis is less.