EFFECT OF MALARIA ON THE RETICULOCYTE COUNT OF FEMALE STUDENTS OF A UNIVERSITY IN ELELE, RIVERS STATE

Background Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with profound haematological consequences, particularly anaemia.

This study investigated the impact of Plasmodium falciparum infection on reticulocyte counts among female undergraduate students at Madonna University, Nigeria, a hyperendemic region.

A cross-sectional analysis of 40 participants aged 15-30 years was conducted during peak transmission season (April-October). Malaria diagnosis was confirmed through Giemsa-stained microscopy and rapid diagnostic testing, while reticulocyte counts were performed manually using new methylene blue staining.

The result revealed 80% malaria prevalence, with the highest rates in 18-20 year-olds (50%). Parasite density distribution showed 90.6% low, 6.3% moderate, and 3.1% high parasitemia cases. Reticulocyte counts were significantly lower in high parasitemia cases (0.8%) compared to low/moderate parasitemia (1.4%) and uninfected students (1.3%). Age-related patterns emerged, with the lowest reticulocyte counts in infected 15-17 year-olds (0.36%) and highest in ≥24 year-olds (1.67%).

The findings demonstrate malaria’s hematological impact in this population and suggest the utility of reticulocyte monitoring in assessing infection severity. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funding Statement This study did not receive any funding. Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The study protocol received ethical approval from the Madonna University Health Research Ethics Committee (Approval No: MUHREC/2023/041). I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Footnotes iheanyi.okonko{at}uniport.edu.ng; Tel: +2347069697309, Data Availability All data produced in the present work are contained in the manuscript.