The prevalence of malaria in people living with HIV in Yaounde, Cameroon

Abstract Background Coinfection with malaria and HIV is common in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the advent of a decline in the global incidence of malaria, it is important to generate updated data on the burden of malaria in people living with HIV (PLWHIV). This study was designed to determine the prevalence of malaria in PLWHIV in Yaounde, Cameroon, as well determine the association between CD4 + T cell count and malaria in the study population. Methods In a cross sectional study performed between April 2015 and June 2016, 355 PLWHIV were enrolled and blood samples were collected for analysis. Complete blood count was performed using an automated haematology analyser (Mindray®, BC-2800) and CD4 + T cell count was performed using a flow cytometer (BD FASCount™). Giemsa-stained blood films were examined to detect malaria parasite. The Pearson’s chi-square, student’s T-test, ANOVA, and correlation analysis were all performed as part of the statistical analyses. Results The prevalence of malaria observed in the study was 7.3 % (95 % CI: 4.8–10.6). No significant association was observed between the prevalence of malaria and age or gender. The prevalence of malaria was higher in participants who were not sleeping in insecticide treated bed nets, ITNs (p < 0.001); and in participants who were not on cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (p = 0.002). The prevalence of malaria (p < 0.001) and malaria parasite density (p = 0.005) were observed to be progressively higher in participants with CD4 + T cell count below 200cells/μl. Furthermore, the mean CD4 + T cell count was observed to be lower in participants coinfected with malaria compared to non-coinfected participants (323.5 vs 517.7) (p < 0.001). In this study, a negative correlation was observed between malaria parasite density and CD4 + T cell count (p = 0.019). Conclusions A low prevalence of malaria was observed in the study population. Some of the factors accounting for the low prevalence of malaria in this study population may include the health seeking habit of PLWHIV, the use of cotrimoxazole based chemoprophylaxis, and their cautious use of ITNs

MOESM1 of Malaria, helminths, co-infection and anaemia in a cohort of children from Mutengene, south western Cameroon

Additional file 1. Number of malaria attacks by age group and gender. Proportion of participants with one attack vs multiple attacks by age group and gender

MOESM2 of Malaria, helminths, co-infection and anaemia in a cohort of children from Mutengene, south western Cameroon

Additional file 3. Frequency distribution of age group, sex and anaemia status by helminth status. Proportion of participants who were helminth positive/negative by age group, gender and anaemia status at three time points

MOESM5 of Malaria, helminths, co-infection and anaemia in a cohort of children from Mutengene, south western Cameroon

Additional file 2. Frequency distribution of severity of anaemia by infection category. Proportion of participants with varying severity of anaemia by infection category (P-HL co-infection, Plasmodium only, helminths only)

Temporal distribution of ITN use, <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> infection and malaria cases among participants from south western Cameroon.

<p>Temporal distribution of ITN use, <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> infection and malaria cases among participants from south western Cameroon.</p

Map of the study area.

<p>Localities on the slope of Mt. Cameroon included in the survey are indicated by blue triangles.</p

Reported ownership, quality and source of ITN of participants (n = 800) who started using bednets before and after the free distribution campaign.

<p>Reported ownership, quality and source of ITN of participants (n = 800) who started using bednets before and after the free distribution campaign.</p