Malaria Parasitaemia and Anaemia among Patients Attending a Palm Oil Plantation Hospital, Southwest Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Endowed with extensive biological and cultural diversities, unique eco-climatic conditions and diverse topography implementing of the same malaria control measures throughout Cameroon, difficult. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria in patients attending Pamol Hospital Lobe (PHL) in Lobe Estate, South West Region, Cameroon. This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted at the PHL, between March and November 2014. The prevalence of malaria and anaemia were investigated in 581 patients using thick blood film and a Urit-1 systems respectively. All data obtained were analysed using SPSS 17.0. The chi-square test was used to establish the association between the prevalence of malaria and age, sex and place of residence of patients, while P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The overall prevalence rate of malaria parasitaemia was 78.8% (458). The age group 10- 15 years had the highest prevalence of 80% and while 5-9 years had the least 77.6% (52). The prevalence of malaria was found not to be significantly associated with age group and gender (χ 2=0.200, P=0.978; χ2=1.425, P=0.233). However, the Mean Trophozoites±SD significantly differed between males and females (P<0.05). Our findings indicate no significant difference between the place of residence and malaria parasitaemia. (P˃0.731). Nearly half (49.2%) of the participants were anaemic (Hb level < 11 g/dL) while only 2.1% were severely anaemic (Hb level < 4 g/dL). The Mean Trophozoites±SD were higher in patients that were moderately anaemic (814.18±787.569), contrastingly lower in those that were severely anaemic (589.09±675.299). Malaria prevalence in the PHL remains high. The distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLINs) should further be intensified in the communities, especially during peak malaria transmission season.