Carrying Asymptomatic Malaria In Ouéllé Locality, And Surrounding Villages, In Southeastern Gabon: An Epidemiological Analysis, In Rural Central Africa

Background: Malaria remains a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, and particularly in Gabon. In an epidemiological analysis in a rural area, the present study assessed asymptomatic malaria carriage in Ouéllé, and surrounding villages, in South-eastern Gabon: an epidemiological analysis, in a rural area of central Africa. Patients and method: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from June 26 to 28, 2023. The sociodemographic characteristics of the participants were obtained. A small portion of blood collected by finger prick from each participant was used for qualitative detection of malaria-causing Plasmodium infection, using a Malaria Test MeriScreenTM Pf/PAN Ag lateral flow immunochromatographic assay. Results of analysis by R software version 4.0.3, were considered significant at p≤0.05.Results: Of the 321 people registered for the present study, 97  (30.22%) (95% CI: 0.25 - 0.36) (n=97), tested positive for malaria, compared with 224 (69.78%) ((95% CI: 0.64 - 0.75) (n=224). While a univariate analysis of the prevalence of malaria carriage according to gender showed no statistically significant association between the variables p=0.56, a univariate analysis of the prevalence of malaria carriage according to age group indicated that only participants aged between 28 and 57 (OR =0.17; 95% CI: [0.04 - 0.73] p=0. 007*), and according to each locality, the analysis showed that participants from Mvengué (OR =0.17; CI 95% : [0.04 - 0.73] p=0.007*), Djoutou (OR =0.17; CI 95% : [0.04 - 0.73] p=0. 007*), and Mouyabi (OR =0.17; 95% CI: [0.04 - 0.73] p=0.007*), were statistically susceptible to malaria were significantly associated with malaria carriage in the present study.Conclusion: These results, which indicate the persistence of asymptomatic malaria in Ouéllé and surrounding villages, call on Gabon's health authorities to redouble their efforts to combat malaria throughout the country