Abstract
Background Asymptomatic malaria and helminths coinfection occurs mainly in the tropics and subtropics where poverty and sanitary practice favor its high prevalence. In the tropics, where malaria is endemic, helminths also thrive resulting in coinfection. This study aimed to access the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and helminths coinfection and its contribution for anemia in primary school children of Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methodology. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 413 primary school children from February to April 2020. Finger-prick blood samples were used to determine asymptomatic malaria and hemoglobin concentrations. Stool samples were collected and processed through formalin-ether concentration techniques to detect the presence of intestinal helminths. Data were double entered into Epi Data version 3.1 software and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Pearson's chi-square and correlation analysis were performed as part of the statistical analyses. Result A total of 413 primary school children aged 6 to 16 years (mean age ± SD: 10.7 ± 2.64years) were enrolled in the study. 159 (38.5%) of school children were infected with at least one of the parasitic diseases. The overall prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and intestinal helminths was 46 (11.1%) and 113 (27.3%) respectively. Asymptomatic malaria and helminths coinfection was 29 (7%). Total of 39.1% of asymptomatic malaria-infected school children were anemic, which is statistically significant (P < 0.05). 15.9% of helminths-infected school children were anemic, not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The prevalence of anemia was 12 (41.3%) among coinfected students, which is statistically significant (P < 0.005). Conclusion Asymptomatic malaria and helminths coinfection affects the health status of considerable number of primary school children in the study area. Therefore, simultaneous combat against the two parasitic infections is crucial to improve health of the school children.
Highlights
Asymptomatic malaria and helminths infection are among the most prevalent diseases in sub-Saharan Africa
It is estimated that over one-third of the world’s population, mainly those individuals living in the tropics and subtropics, are infected by intestinal helminths or one or more of Plasmodium species [1]
In Ethiopia, the burden of malaria continues to cause a substantial number of morbidity and mortality which accounts for most outpatient visits
Summary
Asymptomatic malaria and helminths infection are among the most prevalent diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that over one-third of the world’s population, mainly those individuals living in the tropics and subtropics, are infected by intestinal helminths or one or more of Plasmodium species [1]. Asymptomatic malaria and helminths coinfection occurs mainly in the tropics and subtropics where poverty and sanitary practice favor its high prevalence. Is study aimed to access the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and helminths coinfection and its contribution for anemia in primary school children of Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Total of 39.1% of asymptomatic malaria-infected school children were anemic, which is statistically significant (P < 0.05). Asymptomatic malaria and helminths coinfection affects the health status of considerable number of primary school children in the study area. Asymptomatic malaria and helminths coinfection affects the health status of considerable number of primary school children in the study area. erefore, simultaneous combat against the two parasitic infections is crucial to improve health of the school children
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