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Malaria and Anemia among Children in a Low Resource Setting In Nigeria
Bh Oladeinde1, R Omoregie, M Olley
1Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.
Insights
Malaria and anemia are highly prevalent in children in Okada, Nigeria. Insecticide-treated bed nets showed a significant reduction in anemia among infected children, but not overall.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- High prevalence of malaria and anemia in children in a rural Nigerian community.
- Assessing the impact of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) on malaria and anemia.
- Investigating risk factors for anemia in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of malaria and anemia in children in Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.
- To evaluate the utilization of Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets (ITNs).
- To assess the impact of ITNs on malaria and anemia prevalence.
Main Methods:
- Microscopic examination of thick blood films for malaria parasites in 226 symptomatic children.
- Determination of hemoglobin concentration to assess anemia.
- Statistical analysis to evaluate the effect of age, season, and ITN use on malaria and anemia.
Main Results:
- Malaria parasite infection was found in 81.9% of children, significantly influenced by age and season.
- Anemia prevalence was 47.3%, with malaria identified as a significant risk factor (OR=2.551).
- ITN use (4.9%) did not significantly reduce overall malaria or anemia, but reduced anemia in infected children (OR=0.126).
Conclusions:
- High rates of malaria and anemia necessitate urgent public health interventions.
- Targeted malaria control programs are crucial for this vulnerable population.
- Further research on effective ITN implementation strategies is recommended.
Background:
This study aimed at determining the prevalence of malaria and anemia among children in rural community of Okada, Edo State Nigeria, as well as to assess the level of use of Insecticide treated bed nets and its impact on prevalence of malaria and anemia among study population.
Methods:
Thick blood films from 226 children with signs and symptoms of malaria in Okada community were stained and examined for presence of malaria parasites. Hemoglobin concentration of all children was also determined using standard method.
Result:
A total of 185 (81.9%) children were infected with malaria parasite. Malaria parasitaemia was significantly affected by age (P =0.003). A significantly higher number of positive cases of malaria and anemia was observed in rainy season as compared to dry season (P<0.05). The prevalence of anemia in children was 47.3%. Malaria was a risk factor for development of anemia in children (OR=2.551; 95% CI=1.227, 5.305; P=0.015). Use of insecticide treated bed nets was recorded in 11(4.9%) of children studied, and did not significantly reduce the prevalence of malaria and anemia. However among malaria parasite infected children, its use significantly reduced the prevalence of anemia (OR=0.126; 95%CI=0.015, 1.047; P=0.031).
Conclusion:
Malaria and anemia among children was high malaria intervention progammes by relevant agencies is strongly advocated.
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