True versus Apparent Malaria Infection Prevalence: The Contribution of a Bayesian Approach

A study on malaria infection prevalence and haematological profiles of nursery and primary school pupils aged 0 – 14 years old was conducted in three selected primary schools in Fegge, Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State. Three hundred and sixty (360) pupils were randomly selected from the schools and 2ml of venous blood was collected by venipuncture. Thick and thin blood films were made and stained with Field’s stain A and B. Haematological profiles such as Haemoglobin, White Blood Cell Count, Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (Hb) Concentration and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate were determined using the anticoagulated blood samples. Of the 360 blood samples examined, 342 (95.0%) comprising 170 (47.22%) males and 172 (47.78%) females were positive for Plasmodium falciparum across the three primary schools. Differences in malaria prevalence among the schools and gender was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Pupils within the age group 3 - 5 and 6 - 8 years recorded the highest infection rate of 118 (96.72%) and 102 (96.22%) respectively which was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The highest percentage of the pupils 10 (55.6%) with heavy malaria intensity had their haemoglobin levels within the lower normal range of 11.0 – 11.9g/dl. There were significant and no significant differences in the haematological profiles of the pupils – Haemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume (P<0.05) indicating mild anaemia, while White Blood Cell Counts (P>0.05) indicates mild leukopenia and for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (P>0.05). The study showed that malaria is holoendemic in Fegge area of Onitsha and poses a significant health problem for the children in the study area. Improved health education in the schools on preventive measures for malaria transmission including integrated vector control to reduce vector-man is recommended.

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Effects of Maternal Plasmodium falciparum Malaria and HIV infection on Birth Weight in Southeastern Nigeria

McGill Journal of Medicine ◽

10.26443/mjm.v12i2.282 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Chigozie J Uneke ◽

Dochka D Duhlinska ◽

Treasure N Ujam

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Falciparum Malaria ◽

Malaria Infection ◽

Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Southeastern Nigeria ◽

Hiv Negative

The effects of malaria and HIV infection on birth weight were assessed among 300 women in childbirth in Southeastern Nigeria using standard techniques. Prevalence of maternal Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection was 16.0%. Individuals of younger age, primigravidae, anemic (with Hgb <11.0g/dl) and those who had never attended antenatal clinic (ANC) were more likely to have malaria infection. Prevalence of HIV infection was 3.6% and malaria prevalence was significantly higher among HIV-positive than HIV-negative women (37.5%, 95% CI, 4.0-71.0% versus 14.3%, 95% CI., 9.6-19.0%), (χ2 =13.3, P<0.05). Malaria-infected women had a significantly higher proportion of lBW babies than the uninfected (F-ratio=15.05, P<0.05). A higher proportion of low birth weight (lBW) was recorded among anemic women, primigravidae and those who never attended ANC. lBW babies were significantly higher among HIV-positive than HIV-negative women (25.0% vs 16.6%), (F-ratio=130.8, P<0.05). Malaria and HIV interventions via ANC are crucial for reduction of their adverse effects on pregnancy outcome.

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Malaria in children and women of childbearing age: infection prevalence, knowledge and use of malaria prevention tools in the province of Nyanga, Gabon

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-020-03411-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Roméo Karl Imboumy-Limoukou ◽

Sydney Maghendji-Nzondo ◽

Pater Noster Sir-Ondo-Enguier ◽

Julie Niemczura De Carvalho ◽

Nathalie Pernelle Tsafack-Tegomo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Malaria Infection ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Malaria Prevention ◽

Malaria Prevalence ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Women Of Childbearing Age ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Plasmodial Infection

Abstract Background There is little information on the social perception of malaria and the use of preventative measures in Gabon, especially in rural areas. Adequate knowledge of malaria prevention and control can help in reducing the burden of malaria among vulnerable groups, particularly pregnant women and children under 5 years old living in malaria-endemic settings. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of malaria and the knowledge and attitude towards this disease in households in Nyanga Province. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess malaria knowledge, prevention practices and prevalence of the malaria infection in five departments of Nyanga Province. Plasmodial infection was diagnosed in children ≤ 5 years of age and women aged 15-49 years using rapid diagnostic tests. A questionnaire was administered randomly to women aged 15–49 years and to the parents or guardians of children aged ≤ 5 years in 535 households during a 2-week period in March 2018. Overall, the respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of malaria, malaria prevention practices and malaria prevalence were evaluated and compared across the five departments. Results Data from a total of 1,307 participants were included in this study, including 631 women of childbearing age (61 of them pregnant) and 676 children. Practically the entire (97.7%) interviewed population had heard about malaria and attributed the cause of malaria to a mosquito bite (95.7%). This survey revealed that the reported rate of reported bed-net use was 73.3%. The study observed an average malaria parasite prevalence of 13.9%. All departmental capitals of Nyanga Province had a significant level of malaria infection except for Mayumba where no plasmodial infection was found. Conclusion High malaria prevalence is found in the departmental capital cities of Nyanga Province. This study reveals that respondents have a high knowledge of the malaria symptoms, its mode of transmission and preventive measures. Despite this high level of knowledge of the disease and its preventive measures, the incidence of malaria remains relatively high in this rural community highlighting the need for other types of interventions.

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Microbial Larvicide Application by a Large-Scale, Community-Based Program Reduces Malaria Infection Prevalence in Urban Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0005107 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. e5107 ◽

Cited By ~ 129

Author(s):

Yvonne Geissbühler ◽

Khadija Kannady ◽

Prosper Pius Chaki ◽

Basiliana Emidi ◽

Nicodem James Govella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Malaria Infection ◽

Large Scale ◽

Dar Es Salaam ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Community Based ◽

Larvicide Application

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Risk factors for malaria infection prevalence and household vector density between mass distribution campaigns of long-lasting insecticidal nets in North-western Tanzania

10.21203/rs.3.rs-20694/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jacklin Franklin Mosha ◽

Eliud Lukole ◽

J Derek Charlwood ◽

Alexandra Wright ◽

Mark Rowland ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Anopheles Gambiae ◽

Mass Distribution ◽

Malaria Infection ◽

Pyrethroid Resistance ◽

Good Condition ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Vector Density ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets

Abstract Background Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the most widely deployed vector control intervention in sub-Saharan Africa to prevent malaria. Recent reports indicate selection of pyrethroid insecticide resistance is widespread in mosquito vectors. This paper explores risk factors associated with malaria infection prevalence and vector density between mass distribution campaigns, changes in net coverage, and loss of protection in an area of high pyrethroid resistance in Northwest Tanzania. Methods A cross sectional malaria survey of 3,456 children was undertaken in 2014 in Muleba district, Kagera region west of Lake Victoria. Vector density was assessed using indoor light traps and outdoor tent traps. Anophelines were identified to species using PCR and tested for Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein. Logistic regression was used to identify household and environmental factors associated with malaria infection and regression binomial negative for vector density. Results LLIN use was 27.7%. Only 16.9% of households had sufficient nets to cover all sleeping places. Malaria infection was independently associated with access to LLINs (OR: 0.57; 95%CI 0.34 – 0.98). LLINs less than 2 years old were slightly more protective than older LLINs (53% vs 65% prevalence of infection); however, there was no evidence that LLINs in good condition (hole index <65) were more protective than LLINs which were more holed. Other risk factors for malaria infection were age, group, altitude and house construction quality. Independent risk factors for vector density were consistent with malaria outcomes and included altitude, wind, livestock, house quality, open eaves and LLIN usage. Indoor collections comprised 4.6% Anopheles funestus and 95.4% Anopheles gambiae of which 4.5% were Anopheles arabiensis and 93.5% were Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto. Conclusion Three years after the mass distribution campaign and despite top-ups, LLIN usage had declined considerably. While children living in households with access to LLINs were at lower risk of malaria, infection prevalence remained high even among users of LLINs in good condition. While effort should be made to maintain high coverage between campaigns, distribution of standard pyrethroid-only LLINs appears insufficient to prevent malaria transmission in this area of intense pyrethroid resistance.

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Malaria in children and women of childbearing age: infection prevalence, knowledge and use of malaria prevention tools in the province of Nyanga, Gabon

10.21203/rs.2.22550/v4 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Roméo Karl IMBOUMY-LIMOUKOU ◽

Sydney MAGHENDJI-NZONDO ◽

Pater Noster SIR-ONDO-ENGUIER ◽

Julie NIEMCZURA DE CARVALHO ◽

Nathalie Pernelle TSAFACK TEGOMO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Malaria Infection ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Malaria Prevention ◽

Malaria Prevalence ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Women Of Childbearing Age ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Plasmodial Infection

Abstract Background There is little information on the social perception of malaria and the use of preventative measures in Gabon, especially in rural areas. Adequate knowledge of malaria prevention and control can help in reducing the burden of malaria among vulnerable groups, particularly pregnant women and children under five years old living in malaria-endemic settings. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of malaria and the knowledge and attitude towards this disease in households in Nyanga Province. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess malaria knowledge, prevention practices and prevalence of the malaria infection in five departments of Nyanga Province. Plasmodial infection was diagnosed in children ≤5 years of age and women aged 15-49 years using rapid diagnostic tests. A questionnaire was administered randomly to women aged 15-49 years and to the parents or guardians of children aged ≤5 years in 535 households during a 2-week period in March 2018. Overall, the respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of malaria, malaria prevention practices and malaria prevalence were evaluated and compared across the five departments.Results Data from a total of 1,307 participants were included in this study, including 631 women of childbearing age (61 of them pregnant) and 676 children. Practically the entire (97.7%) interviewed population had heard about malaria and attributed the cause of malaria to a mosquito bite (95.7%). This survey revealed that the reported rate of reported bed-net use was 73.3%. The study observed an average malaria parasite prevalence of 13.9%. All departmental capitals of Nyanga Province had a significant level of malaria infection except for Mayumba where no plasmodial infection was foundConclusion High malaria prevalence is found in the departmental capital cities of Nyanga Province. This study reveals that respondents have a high knowledge of the malaria symptoms, its mode of transmission and preventive measures. Despite this high level of knowledge of the disease and its preventive measures, the incidence of malaria remains relatively high in this rural community highlighting the need for other types of interventions.

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Differential impact of malaria control interventions on P. falciparum and P. vivax infections in young Papua New Guinean children

BMC Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12916-019-1456-9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Maria Ome-Kaius ◽

Johanna Helena Kattenberg ◽

Sophie Zaloumis ◽

Matthew Siba ◽

Benson Kiniboro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Children ◽

Malaria Infection ◽

Scale Up ◽

Clinical Malaria ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Radical Cure ◽

Differential Impact ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

The Impact ◽

Malaria Episodes

Abstract Introduction As malaria transmission declines, understanding the differential impact of intensified control on Plasmodium falciparum relative to Plasmodium vivax and identifying key drivers of ongoing transmission is essential to guide future interventions. Methods Three longitudinal child cohorts were conducted in Papua New Guinea before (2006/2007), during (2008) and after scale-up of control interventions (2013). In each cohort, children aged 1–5 years were actively monitored for infection and illness. Incidence of malaria episodes, molecular force of blood-stage infections (molFOB) and population-averaged prevalence of infections were compared across the cohorts to investigate the impact of intensified control in young children and the key risk factors for malaria infection and illness in 2013. Results Between 2006 and 2008, P. falciparum infection prevalence, molFOB, and clinical malaria episodes reduced by 47%, 59% and 69%, respectively, and a further 49%, 29% and 75% from 2008 to 2013 (prevalence 41.6% to 22.1% to 11.2%; molFOB: 3.4 to 1.4 to 1.0 clones/child/year; clinical episodes incidence rate (IR) 2.6 to 0.8 to IR 0.2 episodes/child/year). P. vivax clinical episodes declined at rates comparable to P. falciparum between 2006, 2008 and 2013 (IR 2.5 to 1.1 to 0.2), while P. vivaxmolFOB (2006, 9.8; 2008, 12.1) and prevalence (2006, 59.6%; 2008, 65.0%) remained high in 2008. However, in 2013, P. vivaxmolFOB (1.2) and prevalence (19.7%) had also substantially declined. In 2013, 89% of P. falciparum and 93% of P. vivax infections were asymptomatic, 62% and 47%, respectively, were sub-microscopic. Area of residence was the major determinant of malaria infection and illness. Conclusion Intensified vector control and routine case management had a differential impact on rates of P. falciparum and P. vivax infections but not clinical malaria episodes in young children. This suggests comparable reductions in new mosquito-derived infections but a delayed impact on P. vivax relapsing infections due to a previously acquired reservoir of hypnozoites. This demonstrates the need to strengthen implementation of P. vivax radical cure to maximise impact of control in co-endemic areas. The high heterogeneity of malaria in 2013 highlights the importance of surveillance and targeted interventions to accelerate towards elimination.

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Effect of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine on immune responses to vaccines among rural Ugandan adolescents: randomised controlled trial protocol B for the ‘POPulation differences in VACcine responses’ (POPVAC) programme

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040427 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e040427

Author(s):

Agnes Natukunda ◽

Gyaviira Nkurunungi ◽

Ludoviko Zirimenya ◽

Jacent Nassuuna ◽

Gloria Oduru ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Low Income ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Malaria Infection ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intermittent Preventive Treatment ◽

Malaria Treatment ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Vaccine Response ◽

Vaccine Responses

IntroductionDrivers of lower vaccine efficacy and impaired vaccine-specific immune responses in low-income versus high-income countries, and in rural compared with urban settings, are not fully elucidated. Repeated exposure to and immunomodulation by parasite infections may be important. We focus on Plasmodium falciparum malaria, aiming to determine whether there are reversible effects of malaria infection on vaccine responses.Methods and analysisWe have designed a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial of intermittent preventive malaria treatment versus placebo, to determine effects on vaccine response outcomes among school-going adolescents (9 to 17 years) from malaria-endemic rural areas of Jinja district (Uganda). Vaccines to be studied comprise BCG vaccine on day ‘zero’; yellow fever, oral typhoid and human papilloma virus vaccines at week 4; and tetanus/diphtheria booster vaccine at week 28. Participants in the intermittent preventive malaria treatment arm will receive dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine (DP) dosed by weight, 1 month apart, prior to the first immunisation, followed by monthly treatment thereafter. We expect to enrol 640 adolescents. Primary outcomes are BCG-specific interferon-γ ELISpot responses 8 weeks after BCG immunisation and for other vaccines, antibody responses to key vaccine antigens at 4 weeks after immunisation. In secondary analyses, we will determine effects of monthly DP treatment (versus placebo) on correlates of protective immunity, on vaccine response waning, on whether there are differential effects on priming versus boosting immunisations, and on malaria infection prevalence. We will also conduct exploratory immunology assays among subsets of participants to further characterise effects of the intervention on vaccine responses.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been obtained from relevant Ugandan and UK ethics committees. Results will be shared with Uganda Ministry of Health, relevant district councils, community leaders and study participants. Further dissemination will be done through conference proceedings and publications.Trial registration numberCurrent Controlled Trials identifier: ISRCTN62041885.

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