Abstract
Although malaria is declining in many countries in Africa, malaria and anaemia remain frequent in children. This study was conducted to assess the relationship between malaria parasitaemia, intestinal worms, and anaemia, in children <5 years living in low transmission area in Senegal. A survey was carried out in 30 villages in the central part of Senegal. A two-level random cluster sampling technique was used to select study participant. Children <5 years were enrolled after informed consent. For each child, blood thick and smear tests were performed, haemoglobin concentration was measured with HemoCue, and stool samples were collected and examined using the Ritchie technique. A total of 736 children were recruited. Malaria parasite prevalence was 1.5% (0.7–2.6); anaemia was found in 53.4% (48.2–58.9), while intestinal parasites and stunting represented 26.2% (22.6–30.2) and 22% (18.6–25.5), respectively. In a logistic regression analysis, anaemia was significantly associated with malaria parasitaemia (aOR= 6.3 (1.5–53.5)) and stunting (aOR = 2 (1.2–3.1)); no association was found between intestinal parasites and anaemia. Malaria and anaemia remain closely associated even when malaria is declining. Scaling up antimalarial interventions may contribute to eliminate malaria and reduce the occurrence of anaemia among children.
Highlights
Malaria is a major public health problem in African region
This study was conducted to assess the relationship between malaria parasitaemia, intestinal worms, and anaemia, in children
In a logistic regression analysis, anaemia was significantly associated with malaria parasitaemia (aOR= 6.3 (1.5–53.5)) and stunting (aOR = 2 (1.2–3.1)); no association was found between intestinal parasites and anaemia
Summary
Malaria is a major public health problem in African region. Significant reductions in the incidence of malaria have been reported in several countries in Africa where malaria was previously moderately endemic [3]. The incidence of malaria appears to be declining in a number of African countries, malaria remains an important cause of mortality and morbidity among young children. Anaemia remains a major public health problem, not least in malaria endemic areas, where it is primarily seen in young children in areas with stable malaria, and in adults in malaria unstable areas [4, 5]. The WHO advocated for the scaling up of malaria control interventions in order to accelerate malaria elimination and reduce malaria fatal consequence on children health such as anaemia [6, 7]. Several malaria control strategies were developed recently, including (i) early case detection and treatment using rapid diagnostic tests (RDT), treatment with more
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
