Prevalence of Falciparum Malaria Together with Acute Diarrhoea in Children Residing in a Malaria Endemic Zone

To investigate an association between diarrhoea and malaria in children, a study was conducted in Buea on 215 children ranging from 0 \u2013 5 years of age attending the Buea District hospital as out patients. Out of this number 118 (54.9%) had acute diarrhoea. The control group without diarrhoea comprised 97 children. Thick blood smears were examined to detect malaria parasites. The prevalence of malaria in the study population was 60% and mean parasite density was 4460.4 parasites/\u3bcl of blood (SD\ub13047.8). There was no significant difference in parasitaemia in children with and without diarrhoea (p<0.5). The prevalence of concurrent malaria and diarrhoea was 20% compared with 40% malaria prevalence in children without diarrhoea. We conclude that there was no association between malaria and diarrhoea in the study populatio

Prevalence of falciparum malaria together with acute diarrhoea in children residing in a malaria endemic zone

To investigate an association between diarrhoea and malaria in children, a study was conducted in Buea on 215 children ranging from 0–5 years of age attending the Buea District hospital as out patients. Out of this number 118 (54.9%) had acute diarrhoea. The control group without diarrhoea comprised 97 children. Thick blood smears were examined to detect malaria parasites. The prevalence of malaria in the study population was 60% and mean parasite density was 4460.4 parasites/µl of blood (SD±3047.8). There was no significant difference in parasitaemia in children with and without diarrhoea (p>0.5). The prevalence of concurrent malaria and diarrhoea was 20% compared with 40% malaria prevalence in children without diarrhoea. We conclude that there was no association between malaria and diarrhoea in the study population.African Journal of Health Sciences Vol. 12(1-2) 2005: 26-3