Endemicity of Malaria parasites among Tuberculosis infected HIV patients attending Bombo-Military Hospital, Luwero district, Uganda

Abstract

Background Malaria parasites, Tuberculosis, and HIV respectively are recognized public health global menace. The prevalence of Tuberculosis and HIV in Malaria endemic regions needs urgent attention to avert catastrophic health consequences. Objective: To evaluate the endemicity of Malaria among Tuberculosis infected HIV patients attending Bombo-Military Hospital. Materials And Methods This was a laboratory-based cross-sectional study in which 100 HIV patients were screened for malaria parasites and Mycobacterium tuberculosis and parasite density determined using standard Microbiological and parasitology methods. Data generated were tested for statistical significance. Results Out of 100 participants (18 females were civilians and 82 males were soldiers), 2.4% of males had malaria, 3.7%) had PTB, 1 (1.2%) had both malaria and PTB. Of the 18 females, only 1 (5.6%) had PTB. Malaria parasites and TB prevalence of 3.3% were among those aged 21-30 years. The highest 16.7% prevalence of PTB and malaria-PTB co-infections was among those aged 51-60 years. Malaria parasites prevalence among soldiers was 2.4%, and 1.2% had malaria and PTB while 3.7% had PTB alone. Participants’ demographic characteristics (p<0.05; r=0.243) influenced malaria endemicity among Tuberculosis infected HIV patients studied. Conclusion Malaria parasites remained endemic even among Tuberculosis infected HIV patients studied Malaria disease surveillance, advocacy on innovative prevention and control strategies, an updated policy that will support effective intervention, are highly recommended.