High Prevalence of Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum Infection in Primary School Children in the Volta Region of Ghana

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the association between asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection and poor intellectual development in primary school children in the Volta Region of Ghana.METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among children from 5 primary schools in 3 districts in the Volta region of Ghana. Questionnaires were administered, and blood samples collected for malaria investigation using Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and microscopy. School performance was used to assess intellectual development in the children. Arithmetic was the subject of choice for the standardized test. Pearson chi square test was used to evaluate the association between Plasmodium falciparum and poor school performance. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors independently associated with risk of poor school performance.RESULTS: Out of 550 children, 305(55.45%) tested positive for malaria with RDT and 249(45.27%) positive with microscopy. Children from the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) primary school in Afegame had the highest prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection with both RDT (92, 74.80%) and microscopy (73, 59.35%). Two hundred and fifteen students (39.09%) failed the arithmetic school test. EP primary school in Afegame recorded the highest frequency of poor school performance among the children (53.66%). School performance was significantly associated with RDT malaria diagnosis with failure rate higher among children who were RDT positive (135, 62.79%, p=0.005). Lower mean scores were seen in children with positive RDT result (47.35, [SD 30.85], p=0.021). Plasmodium falciparum infection (RDT) was independently associated with increased risk of poor school performance (AOR, 1.92, p=0.003).CONCLUSION: An urgent scale-up of malaria control program targeting school-going children in this region is needed to mitigate the possible negative impact of Plasmodium falciparum infection on their intellectual development.

Download Full-text

High prevalence of chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum infection in Rajasthan epidemic

Acta Tropica ◽

10.1016/s0001-706x(96)00031-9 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 62 (3) ◽

pp. 135-141 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Y.D. Sharma ◽

S. Biswas ◽

C.R. Pillai ◽

M.A. Ansari ◽

T. Adak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Falciparum Infection ◽

Plasmodium Falciparum Infection ◽

High Prevalence

Download Full-text

Prevalence and structure of foot deformities in primary school children

Perm Medical Journal ◽

10.17816/pmj36633-40 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (6) ◽

pp. 33-40

Author(s):

N. I. Averyanova ◽

V. V. Pristupova ◽

A. I. Semerikova ◽

I. L. Starkova

Keyword(s):

Early Diagnosis ◽

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Foot Deformities ◽

Main Method ◽

High Prevalence

Aim. To study the prevalence and structure of deformity of the foot in primary school children (pupils of the 1st- 4th grades). Materials and methods. The study involved 277 children aged 7-10 years. The main method of investigation used was computed plantography by means of electronic baropodometer PadProfessional. Results. Deformity of the foot was detected in 58% of children 65.3% of boys and 52.3% of girls (p 0.05). The following pathology was revealed: platypodia, increase in the load on the calcaneal part of the foot and malposition of the foot. The most common pathology was platypodia diagnosed in 28.2% of children. Conclusions. High prevalence of foot deformities requires their early diagnosis and correction as well as improvement of parents knowledge regarding this problem.

Download Full-text

Prevalence and Pattern of Soil-Transmitted Helminthic Infection among Primary School Children in a Rural Community in Imo State, Nigeria

Journal of Tropical Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/349439 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Kelechi Kenneth Odinaka ◽

Emeka Charles Nwolisa ◽

Francis Mbanefo ◽

Alfreda Chinekwu Iheakaram ◽

Seline Okolo

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

Rural Community ◽

School Children ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Imo State ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Helminthic Infection ◽

Study Population

Background.Soil-transmitted helminthic infection is a common public health challenge of primary school children in resource challenged and developing countries. Our aim was to determine the prevalence and pattern of soil-transmitted helminthic infection among primary school children in a rural community in Imo State, Nigeria.Method.The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 284 primary school children in a rural community.Results.The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infection (STHI) was 30.3%. Of all STHIs, hookworm was the commonest geohelminth observed, 81 (94.2%). The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infection was more in males, 58 (38.4%), than in females, 28 (21.1%). This difference was statistically significant (P=0.001).Conclusion.The high prevalence rate of soil-transmitted helminthic infection amongst the study population is worrisome. There is need for organized and routine deworming among school children in the community.

Download Full-text