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Seroprevalence of pediatric malaria in quetta, balochistan, pakistan
Insights
Pediatric malaria is a significant health concern in Quetta, Pakistan, with Plasmodium vivax being the most common species. Urgent control programs are needed to address this prevalent disease.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Public Health Entomology
Background:
- Malaria is a major protozoal disease in developing nations, particularly Pakistan, with scarce health resources.
- Pakistan reports 4.5 million suspected malaria cases annually, highlighting its public health burden.
- The study focuses on pediatric malaria incidence in Quetta, Balochistan, a region with limited healthcare access.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and prevalence of malaria in children in Quetta, Balochistan.
- To identify the predominant Plasmodium species causing malaria in the pediatric population.
- To analyze malaria distribution across different age groups and seasons in the study area.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted at Children Hospital Quetta (CHQ) from July 2011 to March 2012.
- Blood samples were collected from 3418 clinically suspected pediatric malaria cases.
- Giemsa-stained thin and thick blood films were used for microscopic examination to detect malarial parasites.
Main Results:
- Out of 3418 children, 230 (6.72%) tested positive for malaria.
- Plasmodium vivax (54.34%) was more prevalent than Plasmodium falciparum (44.78%).
- Male children (65.21%) were more commonly affected than females (34.78%), with peak prevalence in summer.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals a high prevalence of pediatric malaria in Quetta, Pakistan, indicating a substantial public health threat.
- Plasmodium vivax is the dominant malaria parasite in the pediatric population of Quetta.
- There is an urgent need for targeted malaria control programs in Quetta to mitigate the disease's impact.
Background:
Malaria is one of the most devastating protozoal diseases in under developing countries like Pakistan where health facilities are scarce. It is the second most frequently reported disease with 4.5 million suspected cases in Pakistan. The current study was designed to determine the incidence of pediatric malaria in Quetta, Balochistan.
Methods:
The study was conducted at Children Hospital Quetta (CHQ) during July 2011march 2012. Blood samples were collected from 3418 clinically suspected and were evaluated using thin and thick blood films stained with Giemsa stain.
Results:
Out of 3418 total of 230 (6.72%) children were found positive for any of the malarial parasitic infestation. Plasmodium vivax was observed to be more common 54.34% (n= 125/230) than P. falciparum 44.78% (n = 103/230). Male children were 65.21% (150/230) i.e. two times more commonly affected than female 34.78% (80/230) children. The prevalence among age groups was 7.41% (n = 89/1200) in preschool-aged children aged 1-5 years, 7.11% (n = 75/1054) in school-aged children aged 6-10 years while 6.78% (n = 46/678) in 11-15 years-old children, and 6.66% (n = 20/300) in >15 year-olds children. Peak prevalence was noted in summer and mild in winter. Mixed infection of (0.86%: 2/230) P. vivax and P. falciparum was also observed in two cases although no case of P. malariae or P. ovale infection was seen during entire study.
Conclusion:
The results reflect the higher prevalence of malaria in Quetta, Pakistan that poses a significant health threat and requires urgent attention of high-ups to launch programme to control the disease in the area.
