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A malaria control program's effect on paediatric transfusion
Insights
Implementing a malaria control program significantly reduced paediatric malaria cases and blood transfusions. This intervention also improved average hemoglobin levels in children, highlighting its public health benefits.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Tropical Medicine
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Paediatric malaria is a major cause of blood transfusions in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Malaria can lead to severe anemia and viral disease transmission through transfusions.
- This study evaluated a Malaria Control Program's impact on malaria and transfusion rates in Ghanaian children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of paediatric malaria before and after a Malaria Control Program.
- To assess changes in blood transfusion rates among paediatric malaria patients post-program implementation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of paediatric malaria test results and blood transfusions in 2003 (pre-program) and 2009 (post-program).
- Descriptive and bivariate statistical analyses were employed to compare the two periods.
Main Results:
- Confirmed paediatric malaria cases decreased by 40.7%, and transfusions decreased by 12.8% after the program.
- Transfusion frequency among malaria-tested patients dropped from 24.1% to 11.3%.
- Average hemoglobin levels increased from 8.7 g/dl to 10.4 g/dl, and younger children (0-5 years) remained more likely to receive transfusions.
Conclusions:
- Malaria control programs effectively reduce paediatric malaria incidence and the need for blood transfusions.
- These programs can decrease direct morbidity and mortality from malaria.
- Successful malaria control mitigates risks associated with blood transfusion exposure.
Background And Objectives:
Paediatric malaria is one of the leading causes for blood transfusion in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria not only causes severe, sometimes life-threatening anaemia, but it leads to the exposure to a blood supply that may result in viral disease transmission. This study determined the frequency of paediatric malaria and transfusion for malaria before and after implementation of a Malaria Control Program in one of Ghana's districts.
Materials And Methods:
Paediatric patients' malaria test results and blood transfusions were reviewed during two time periods: before Malaria Control Program implementation (2003) and after (2009). Results were analysed using descriptive and bivariate statistics.
Results:
The number of paediatric malaria cases confirmed by laboratory testing declined by 40·7% after implementation of the program. The number of paediatric patients transfused decreased by 12·8% (P<0·005). Of those patients tested for malaria, the frequency of transfusion was lower in 2009 (11·3%) compared to 2003 (24·1%, P<0·005). Gender and age were not associated with altered rates of transfusion. Average haemoglobin was higher in 2009 (10·4±2·0 g/dl) compared to 2003 (8·7±2·1 g/dl, P<0·005). During both periods of study, malaria positive patients who were 0-5 years were more likely to be transfused (47·6% in 2003, 75% in 2009) compared to children 5-9 years (17·3% in 2003, 18·8% in 2009).
Conclusion:
The implementation of malaria control led to fewer paediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed malaria and fewer requiring blood transfusion. Such programs may reduce morbidity and mortality directly, while limiting exposure to blood transfusion.
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