The Prevalence of Asymptomatic Malaria Amongst Nursery and Primary School Pupils in Bui, Northwest Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Malaria is a public health concern worldwide, accounting for 31% of hospital consultations, 44% of hospitalisations, and 18% of deaths, and a cause of school absenteeism amongst pupils in Cameroon. The negative cognitive impact of malaria on pupils is a call for concern. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria among pupils. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2015 to April 2016 in eight Nursery and Primary Schools in Bui. A total of 1,152 pupils were systematically screened for malaria using light microscopy. All anaemic and malaria positive cases were administered ferum folate/ferrous sulphate and artemether-lumefantrine for treatment. The prevalence of malaria and anaemia were 12% and 18.4%, respectively; anaemia accounted for 26.1% of all positive diagnostic tests. Malaria infection was significantly higher in adolescents aged 5–12 years (73.9%), as well as amongst males (51.4%). The proportion of pupils with asymptomatic malaria and anaemia was high. Age, sex, school, and community were associated with asymptomatic malaria as well as anaemia. Malaria intervention programmes should target asymptomatic malaria carriers for treatment to minimise transmission. Keywords: Asymptomatic malaria, Bui, Cameroon, Prevalence, School Children.