Determinants Of Malaria Infection Research Articles

Determinants of Malaria Infection Among Under-Five Children in State Specialist Hospital, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study investigated the determinants of malaria infection among mothers with under-five children in State Specialist Hospital, Ikere - Ekiti, Ekiti State. The research focused on assessing mothers' knowledge of malaria infection among under-five children, exploring their perceptions of malaria infection in this age group, and examining the determinants contributing to malaria infection in this specific population. A descriptive survey research design was employed, and data were collected from 217 mothers attending the Child Welfare Clinic through convenience sampling. A questionnaire named "Determinants of Malaria Infection Questionnaire" (DMIQ) was used for data collection, which underwent validation and reliability testing. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis, including frequency counts, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. The findings revealed varying levels of knowledge and perceptions among mothers regarding malaria in under-five children, highlighting areas for potential improvement in malaria education and awareness campaigns. It was recommended among others that nurses should implement targeted educational programs and awareness campaigns aimed at mothers to improve their knowledge about malaria infection among under-five children. These campaigns should cover topics such as malaria causes, transmission, symptoms, and preventive measures. Special emphasis should be placed on correcting misconceptions, such as the belief that antibiotics can cure malaria.

Prevalence and determinants of malaria infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Ejisu government hospital in Ghana: A cross-sectional study.

Malaria in pregnancy is a global public health problem with the majority of its impact seen in sub-Saharan Africa. Pregnant women with malaria infection are at risk of adverse maternal outcomes. In Ghana, malaria in pregnancy accounts for about 17.6% of outpatient department attendance. Ashanti region is among the three regions with the highest malaria prevalence in pregnancy, particularly in the Ejisu Municipality. The study, therefore, assessed the prevalence and determinants of malaria infection among pregnant women seeking antenatal care at the Ejisu Government Hospital in Ghana. A cross-sectional study design with a convenience sampling technique was used to select 140 respondents for the study. Primary data such as age and residence of respondents were collected using a questionnaire and secondary data such as gestational age and Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (SP) administration were collected from clients' maternal health record booklet. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to assess the association between the malaria infection and the independent variables, and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The overall prevalence of malaria in pregnancy was 24 (17.1%). Most of the respondents had received counselling and health education 126 (90%), two or more doses of SP 95 (87.2%), Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) 99 (70.7%) and were sleeping under ITN 104 (74.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between malaria infection and sleeping under ITN (AOR = 0.05; 95% CI = 0.01-0.28, p< .001), the use of insecticide mosquito spray (AOR = 0.27; 95% CI = 0.09-0.84, p = .045) and reason for not using ITN due to the use of other preventive measures (AOR = 0.06; 95% CI = 0.01-0.61, p = .017). There was a high prevalence of malaria infection among study respondents despite the high usage of preventive measures for malaria in this study. It is therefore crucial that stakeholders in malaria control identify effective strategies to curb malaria transmission globally.

Alcohol overuse increases susceptibility to malaria and its complications: a pilot study

Malaria has remained a dangerous disease that has been posing great burden to man and his wellbeing. Several factors influence the susceptibility to this disease including genetic and environmental determinants. The role of alcohol on malaria parasite infection and its complications is not well-defined. It is established that malaria infection and alcohol independently influence the immune system of man and other animals. Therefore, it is logical to reason that their combined influence may be additive. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of alcohol on determinants of malaria infection in mice. Nine groups of mice (n = 5) were used with group one serving as normal control, group 2 (alcohol control) received 12 g/kg b.w/d. of 50% absolute ethanol p.o only for 7 days and group 3 was parasitized only (parasite control). Groups 4-6 received 12 g/kg b.w/d. of 10, 30 and 50% ethanol, respectively for 7 days prior to parasite inoculation. Similarly, groups 7-9 were parasitized and thereafter received 12 g/kg b.w/d. of 10, 30 and 50 % ethanol, respectively 24-h after parasite inoculation till the next 7 days. In each case, malaria infection was confirmed 72-h post-inoculation. Thereafter, overnight fasted blood samples were analyzed for malaria parasitemia (malaria parasite density), hematological indices (hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and erythrocyte and leukocyte counts), lipid profile (total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low and high density lipoproteins), and liver (alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and total bilirubin) and kidney (urea and creatinine) status using standard methods. The results of various analyzed parameters in alcohol exposed mice infected with malaria parasite were compared with mice exposed to alcohol and malaria parasite alone using one-way analyses of variance. The result showed that parasitized alcohol-treated mice had higher malaria parasitemia (34.33 ± 2.53, 39.49 ± 1.71 and 54.12 ± 2.76 x104 parasites/μL, respectively for 10, 30 and 50 % ethanol) relative to parasitized mice not treated with alcohol (22.01 ± 1.35 x104 parasites/μL). In addition, concentration-based reduction in hematological status (packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, and erythrocyte and leukocyte counts) was observed in alcohol-fed parasitized mice relative to parasite only and alcohol only controls. Furthermore, biochemical status indicating dyslipidemia as characterized by the elevation in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and triacylglycerol concentrations and decrease in high density lipoprotein level, hypoglycemia, renal and hepatic dysfunctions as indicated by increase in liver function markers as well as creatinine and urea levels in serum were observed in infected mice treated with alcohol relative to parasite only and alcohol only controls. In conclusion, this observation suggests that alcohol overuse exacerbates malaria parasitemia and suppresses immune response to malaria parasites, in a concentration-dependent manner, thereby promoting the progression and severity of complications associated with malaria. Further study to investigate the mechanism behind this preliminary observation is warranted.

Prevalence and determinants of malaria infection among children of local farmers in Central Malawi

BackgroundMalaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under 5 years in Malawi, and especially among those from rural areas of central Malawi. The goal of this study was to examine the prevalence and determinants of malaria infection among children in rural areas of Dowa district in central Malawi.MethodsA multistage, cross-sectional study design was used to systematically sample 523 child-mother dyads from postnatal clinics. A survey was administered to mothers and a rapid malaria infection diagnostic test was administered to children. The main outcome was positive malaria diagnostic tests in children. Logistic regressions were used to determine risk factors associated with malaria among children aged 2 to 59 months.ResultsThe prevalence of malaria among children under 5 years was 35.4%. Results suggest that children of mothers who experienced recent intimate partner violence (IPV) were more likely to be diagnosed with malaria (AOR: 1.88, 95% CI 1.19–2.97; P = 0.007) than children of mothers who did not. Children of mothers who had no formal education were more likely to be diagnosed with malaria (AOR: 2.77, 95% CI 1.24–6.19; P = 0.013) than children of mothers who had received secondary education. Children aged 2 to 5 months and 6 to 11 months were less likely to be diagnosed with malaria (AOR: 0.21, 95% CI 0.10–0.46; P = 0.000 and AOR: 0.43; 95% CI 0.22–0.85; P = 0.016, respectively) than children aged 24 to 59 months.ConclusionThe prevalence of malaria infection among children in the study area was comparable to the national level. In addition to available malaria control programmes, further attention should be paid to children whose mothers have no formal education, children aged 24 to 59 months, and children of mothers that are exposed to IPV in the area.

Determinants of malaria infection in Dembia district, Northwest Ethiopia: a case-control study

BackgroundDespite the progress in reducing malaria infections and related deaths, the disease remains a major global public health problem. The problem is among the top five leading causes of outpatient visits in Dembia district of the northwest Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the determinants of malaria infections in the district.MethodsAn institution-based case-control study was conducted in Dembia district from October to November 2016. Out of the ten health centers in the district, four were randomly selected for the study in which 370 participants (185 cases and 185 controls) were enrolled. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Factors associated with malaria infections were determined using logistic regression analysis. Odds ratio with 95% CI was used as a measure of association, and variables with a p-value of ≤0.05 were considered as statistically significant.ResultsThe median age of all participants was 26 years, while that of cases and controls was 22 and 30 with a range of 1 to 80 and 2 to 71, respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression, over 15 years of age adjusted odds ratio(AOR) and confidence interval (CI) of (AOR = 18; 95% CI: 2.1, 161.5), being male (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.9), outdoor activities at night (AOR = 5.7; 95% CI: 2.5, 12.7), bed net sharing (AOR = 3.9; 95% CI: 2.0, 7.7), and proximity to stagnant water sources (AOR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.3, 5.4) were independent predictors.ConclusionBeing in over 15 years of age group, male gender, night time activity, bed net sharing and proximity to stagnant water sources were determinant factors of malaria infection in Dembia district. Additional interventions and strategies which focus on men, outdoor work at night, household net utilization, and nearby stagnant water sources are essential to reduce malaria infections in the area.

Spatial patterns and determinants of malaria infection during pregnancy in Zambia.

Malaria in pregnancy (MiP) is a major concern in Zambia. Here we aim to determine the burden and risk factors of MiP. Monthly reported district-level malaria cases among pregnant women (count data) from January 2009 to December 2014 were obtained from the Zambian District Health Information System. Negative binomial regression model was used to investigate the associations between vector control tools, coverage of health care facilities, transportation networks and population density. Data on MiP treatment were obtained from the 2012 Zambian Malaria Indicator Survey. Yearly clusters of MiP were investigated using spatial statistics in ArcGIS v 10.1. The results indicated that MiP decreased in Zambia between 2010 and 2013. MiP was observed throughout the year, but showed a strong seasonal pattern. Persistent hotspots of MiP were reported in the southeast and northeast regions of Zambia, with districts that had better access to rail road and presence of water bodies associated with decreased prevalence of MiP. Better indoor residual spraying and long-lasting insecticide-treated nets coverage was demonstrated to be protective against MiP. Mapping the distribution of MiP to track the future requirements for scaling up essential disease-prevention efforts in stable hotspots can help the Zambian National Malaria Control Center to further develop strategies to reduce malaria prevalence in this vulnerable sub-population.