Abstract
BackgroundMalaria and HIV/AIDS are the two most common infections in sub-Sahara Africa. There are hypotheses and study reports on the possible association between these two infections, hence the prevalence and outcome of their co-infection in an endemic population will be important in defining healthcare strategies. A cross sectional study was carried out at the Holy Family Hospital in Techiman, Ghana, between November 2011 and January 2012, to determine the prevalence of malaria among HIV sero-positive patients and its impact on hemoglobin levels.MethodA total of 400 HIV sero-positive participants (292 females and 108 males) aged between 1 and 73 years were randomly sampled for the study. A questionnaire was administered and 2 ml of venous blood samples were drawn for malaria parasites detection, CD4 count and haemoglobin level estimations.ResultsMalaria parasites were detected in 47 (11.75%) of the participants. There was no statistically significant difference between the malaria prevalence rate of females (12.1%) and males (10.2%) P = 0.6047. An overall anaemia prevalence of 67% was observed. Among participants with malaria the anaemia prevalence was 93.6%. The CD4 cell count of all the participants ranged between 3 and 1604 cells/μl with a mean of 386.2 (±274.3) cells/μl. Participants with malaria had CD4 cell count ranged 3 and 512 Cells/μl with the mean being 186.33 (±133.49) Cells/μl. Out of 377 participants (all above 15 years) interviewed on knowledge of malaria transmission and prevention, 87.0% had knowledge on transmission but only 8.5% use in bed nets.ConclusionIt was revealed that almost all the patients with malaria infection were anemic.
Highlights
Malaria and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are major public health problems in many parts of the world
It was revealed that almost all the patients with malaria infection were anemic
Implying that an excess of 40% of people living with HIV/AIDS are left to die without getting access to
Summary
Malaria and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are major public health problems in many parts of the world. Both infections kill millions of people each year with disproportionate heavy burden on Africa, India, Southeast Asia and South America [1]. Sub-Saharan Africa harbors 90% of the estimated 219 million cases that results in over 600,000 deaths annually [2,3]. Because of the high prevalence of HIV and malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, co-infections are common. Implying that an excess of 40% of people living with HIV/AIDS are left to die without getting access to. Malaria and HIV/AIDS are the two most common infections in sub-Sahara Africa. A cross sectional study was carried out at the Holy Family Hospital in Techiman, Ghana, between November 2011 and January 2012, to determine the prevalence of malaria among HIV sero-positive patients and its impact on hemoglobin levels
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