Abstract
Background Malaria and helminth infections are major public health issues in sub-Saharan Africa including Cameroon. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors associated with malaria and helminth coinfection among children in the Douala Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital (HGOPED) in Douala, southwestern Cameroon. Material and Methods. The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study that took place from January to July 2020 where 203 children were involved. Blood samples were collected from the children and thick blood smears were prepared and examined microscopically for malaria parasites. Stool samples were also collected and examined through the Kato-Katz technique for the identification of helminth eggs. Demographic and socioeconomic data and information of participant's knowledge on the transmission of malaria and helminth infections were collected with the use of a well-structured questionnaire. Results The overall prevalence of P. falciparum infection was 28.8%, while the overall prevalence of helminth was 9.36%. The only species of helminth identified were Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura with a prevalence of 4.26% and 2.95%, respectively, and mixed infection of both A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura with a prevalence of 1.47%. Coinfection of malaria and helminth was observed with a prevalence of 6.90%. Associations of malaria-helminth coinfection with age groups, parent's educational level, type of latrine, and source of water factors were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), while the prevalence of the coinfection with respect to parent's occupation, presence of stagnant water around homes, washing of hands after using the toilet, and washing of fruits before eating was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion The findings suggest that helminths and malaria infections tend to occur in children. Not washing hands after using the toilet, not washing fruits before eating, the presence of stagnant water around homes, and parents' occupation were found to be strongly associated with coinfection. Health education on the importance of better sewage disposal, draining of stagnant water around homes, and other sanitary practices is recommended.
Highlights
It is estimated that over a third of the world’s population, mainly living in the tropics and subtropics, are infected by at least one intestinal helminth or a protozoan parasite species [1, 2] which, according to Degarege et al [3], may adversely impact the outcome of the disease they cause.Malaria is a febrile illness caused by an infectious parasitic protozoan of the genus Plasmodium through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito [4]. ough it is caused by several Plasmodium protozoan parasites, Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous
According to Hotez and David [5], there are about 13 parasitic infections that are responsible for significant morbidity but have not gotten the attention they deserve; they are known as “Neglected Tropical Diseases” (NTDs). ree of these are soil-transmitted helminthic infections (STH) (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworm (Trichuris trichiura), and hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus). ey are so-called soil-transmitted helminths because their infection on man is transmitted via contaminated soil by parasitic invasive eggs or larvae
Chi square test was used to test for the association between malaria and helminth coinfection and its related risk factors and Pearson correlation was used to test the strength of the association between variables. e statistical significance threshold was set at p < 0.05
Summary
Malaria and helminth infections are major public health issues in sub-Saharan Africa including Cameroon. is study was aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors associated with malaria and helminth coinfection among children in the Douala Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital (HGOPED) in Douala, southwestern Cameroon. Is study was aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors associated with malaria and helminth coinfection among children in the Douala Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital (HGOPED) in Douala, southwestern Cameroon. Associations of malaria-helminth coinfection with age groups, parent’s educational level, type of latrine, and source of water factors were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), while the prevalence of the coinfection with respect to parent’s occupation, presence of stagnant water around homes, washing of hands after using the toilet, and washing of fruits before eating was statistically significant (p < 0.05). E findings suggest that helminths and malaria infections tend to occur in children. Not washing hands after using the toilet, not washing fruits before eating, the presence of stagnant water around homes, and parents’ occupation were found to be strongly associated with coinfection. Health education on the importance of better sewage disposal, draining of stagnant water around homes, and other sanitary practices is recommended
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