STATUS OF DENGUE AND MALARIA CO-INFECTION AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING MARDAN MEDICAL COMPLEX, PAKISTAN

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dengue fever and Malaria are the most common mosquito borne diseases in the world and have emerged as a global public health problem. Both of these diseases can effect a person alone or as a co-infection. These diseases can cause death and as a co-infection are more severe than single infection. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of patients with Dengue and Malaria co-infection and the proportion of confirmed cases of Dengue and Malaria in the same period. 
METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional study on primary data was conducted at Mardan Medical Complex Mardan, from 1st September 2017 to 31 Jan 2018. Data was collected from 481 subjects and screened for dengue and malaria infections. A structured Proforma was used for data collection and all patients who are advised both malaria and dengue tests were included. Those who were not willing to contribute were excluded. Non probability convenient sampling technique was used and a sample size of 481 was obtained. For dengue infection, ICT strip method of IgM, IgG antibodies test and NS1 antigen test were performed. For malaria diagnosis , thick and thin slides were made and examined through light microscope. Age with gender and district of domicile was also noted after the informed consent. 
RESULTS: Majority of patients were from district Mardan and second highest were from district Nowshera. Male infected parentage was higher than that of females. Mean age of all patients was 29.48 years. In 481 patients 122 patients were co-infected with malaria and dengue, 164 patients were only dengue positive and 205 patients were only malaria positive. 
CONCLUSION: Malaria infected patients were more than dengue patients and also malaria contribute as a co-infection. The severity of disease is more if co-infection exists. Patients must be investigating both for dengue and malaria at the same time. This will help in initiatingr early response if co-infection exists. 
KEY WORDS: Dengue Fever, IgM, IgG, MP, Aedese aegypti, P.vivax, P.falciparum.