Prevalence Of Malaria In Patients Research Articles

Prevalence of malaria and performance of a rapid diagnostic test for malaria in febrile children with sickle cell disease

BackgroundMalaria is the most common precipitating cause of crises in sickle cell disease in countries where malaria is endemic and mortality and morbidity are increased in people with both sickle cell disease and malaria. The objectives of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria, the performance of a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for malaria in febrile children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and the impact of malaria prophylaxis on the prevalence of malaria. MethodsThe study involved consecutive children with SCD who presented with temperature ≥38.0 °C in a malaria holo-endemic setting. Testing for malaria was done for each patient with blood film microscopy and an RDT using ParacheckPf®. ResultsA total of 102 children aged 7 months - 17 years were studied. Prevalence of malaria parasitaemia by microscopy was 13.7% (14/102). Compared to microscopy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the RDT was 100%, 92.0%, 66.7% and 100% respectively. There was no significant difference in prevalence of malaria in patients irrespective of their adherence to Proguanil chemoprophylaxis. ConclusionRDT is useful in screening for malaria in SCD and will facilitate appropriate treatment. There is need to evaluate the efficacy of proguanil in malaria chemoprophylaxis for children with SCD.

The impact of mass distribution of long lasting insecticide-treated bed-nets on the malaria parasite burden in the Buea Health District in South-West Cameroon: a hospital based chart review of patient\u2019s laboratory records

BackgroundMalaria remains a leading cause of illness and deaths in Cameroon. The use of long lasting insecticide treated bed nets (LLITN) is the most effective method to reduce the burden of malaria. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the mass distribution of LLITN on the hospital prevalence of malaria (prevalence of malaria in patients with a presumptive diagnosis of malaria), in the Buea Health District in the South-West Region of Cameroon.MethodsA hospital-based chart review of records of malaria confirmatory test results in health facilities of the Buea Health District from January 2011 through December 2013. Data were extracted with the help of a grid, then analyzed with EPIinfo version 6 and Microsoft Excel 2010. Chi square test was used to compare prevalence and ANOVA was used to compare mean parasitaemia.ResultsA total of 17,268 records were reviewed, 3545[20.5% (19.9–21.1)] confirmed malaria positive with mean trophozoite count of 2735.3 ± 23,323.5 trophozoite/µl of blood. Prevalence was higher in males 1497 [23.5% (22.4–24.5)] than females 2047 [18.8% (18.1–19.6)], p < 0.01. Significant evidence of a reduction in the prevalence of malaria was found in under-fives in 2012 (p = 0.03).ConclusionsUniversal coverage with LLITN failed to guarantee effective control of malaria in the Buea Health District, as expected. Continuous and appropriate use of LLITN is indispensable, in addition to periodic sensitization, booster campaigns of LLITN distribution and evaluation research for effective prevention and control of malaria.

The prevalence of malaria in patients from some selected Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, north-west, Nigeria

Cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of malaria among patients from randomly selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kaduna State was undertaken between March 2011 to February 2012. Blood samples were collected from 1,918 patients attending the GOPD Ward various state government-owned hospitals in selected LGAs and examined for malaria parasites. Among the LGAs, Kaduna-South LGA had the highest (84.7%) prevalence of malaria while the lowest (60.7%) prevalence was recorded in Kachia LGA. The highest prevalence of malaria was recorded in the wet month of August (78.7%) and lowest in the dry month of February (47%). The monthly prevalence of malaria showed no significant association to malaria infection except in the dry months of January and February 2012.The age related prevalence of malaria indicates higher prevalence (75.0%) in 0-4 years agegroup while the least prevalence (58.7%) was recorded in 5-14 years age-group. Only age-group 15 and above was significantly associated to prevalence of malaria. The prevalence of malaria in males was slightly higher (74%) than in females (67%) in the study, however, the difference in prevalence was not significant (p&gt;0.05).The Federal Government of Nigeria and its partners in the Roll Back Malaria scheme should strive to ensure that the importance of preventive measures should be strongly emphasized in every nook and cranny of the LGAs of the state.Keywords: Prevalence; malaria; Kaduna States; patients; Nigeria.

Prevalence of Malaria in Patients Attending the General Hospital Makarfi, Makarfi Kaduna – State, North-Western Nigeria

Nigeria is a high endemic country for malaria. Its large population, diverse weather conditions and cultures make it a bit difficult implementing the same malaria control measures throughout the country. Prevalence studies are therefore essential for better understanding and implementation of intervention programs. This study determined some malariometric parameters such as malaria prevalence, transmission based on age and gender, parasite density, fever and anaemia in patients attending General Hospital Makarfi, during the malaria transmission season. All participants were screened microscopically for malaria and classified into 3 groups: under 5 years, 5 – 15 years and above 15. A total of 1173 participants were screened out of which 419 (35.7%) were positive. The geometric mean parasite density was 15,108 parasite/µL of blood. Children aged 5 – 15 years had a statistically significant higher infection rate compared to the other groups. Males were more prone to malaria than females. Presence of parasitaemia, fever or anaemia did not correlate with the presence of malaria. Some of the positive patients had high parasite densities and yet asymptomatic. More malariometric surveys are needed in Nigeria in order to adopt control efforts that best suit rural areas and smaller communities especially during peak malaria transmission season.