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

Molecular typing reveals substantial Plasmodium vivax infection in asymptomatic adults in a rural area of Cameroon

BACKGROUND: Malaria in Cameroon is due to infections by Plasmodium falciparum and, to a lesser extent, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale, but rarely Plasmodium vivax. A recent report suggested “Plasmodium vivax–like” infections around the study area that remained unconfirmed. Therefore, molecular and antigenic typing was used to investigate the prevalence of P. vivax and Duffy in asymptomatic adults resident in Bolifamba. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2008 to October 2009. The status of all parasite species was determined by nested PCR in 269 blood samples collected. The P. falciparum and P. vivax anti-MSP/CSP antibody status of each subject was also determined qualitatively by a rapid card assay. Parasite DNA was extracted from a sample infected with three parasite species, purified and sequenced. The Duffy antigen status of 12 subjects infected with P. vivax was also determined by sequencing. In silico web-based tools were used to analyse sequence data for similarities and matches to reference sequences in public DNA databases. RESULTS: The overall malaria parasite prevalence in 269 individuals was 32.3% (87) as determined by PCR. Remarkably, 14.9% (13/87) of infections were caused either exclusively or concomitantly by P. vivax, established both by PCR and microscopic examination of blood smears, in individuals both positive (50%, 6/12) and negative (50%, 6/12) for the Duffy receptor. A triple infection by P. falciparum, P. vivax and P. malariae, was detected in one infected individual. Anti-MSP/CSP antibodies were detected in 72.1% (194/269) of samples, indicating high and continuous exposure to infection through mosquito bites. DISCUSSION: These data provide the first molecular evidence of P. vivax in Duffy positive and negative Cameroonians and suggest that there may be a significant prevalence of P. vivax infection than expected in the study area. Whether the P. vivax cases were imported or due to expansion of a founder effect was not investigated. Notwithstanding, the presence of P. vivax may complicate control efforts if these parasites become hypnozoitic or latent as the liver stage. CONCLUSIONS: These data strongly suggest that P. vivax is endemic to the south-west region of Cameroon and should be taken into account when designing malaria control strategies

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding malaria : a cross-sectional study in pregnant women attending antenatal care in the New-Bell district hospital, Douala, Cameroon

INTRODUCTION : malaria remains a major public health problem in Cameroon. For a successful malaria control, there is a need to evaluate the level of awareness, attitude and perception of people living in malaria endemic areas such as the swampy littoral region of Cameroon. METHODS : this was a descriptive cross-sectional study targeting pregnant women attending ANC in the New-Bell District Hospital. Data was collected with a semistructured questionnaire on demographic characteristics as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding malaria. RESULTS : two hundred and six pregnant women were enrolled in the study, all of them had heard on malaria in the past, with hospitals and television been the most known information dissemination channels. Only 60.2% of them own and used a LLINs with only 51.6% of owners treating the net. CONCLUSION : respondents with no education had poor knowledge on malaria. There is a need to improve education on malaria with active participation of women and improve malaria surveillance that will lead to malaria eradication.http://www.panafrican-med-journal.comam2021School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Haematological changes and recovery associated with treated and untreated Plasmodium falciparum infection in children in the Mount Cameroon Region

Pre-hospital antimalarial treatment of febrile children remains a significant common practice among individuals in the Mount Cameroon region. To evaluate the effect of routinely administered monotherapy sulphadoxine pyrimethamine (SP), treatment using amodiaquine artesunate (AQAS) combination therapy and untreated malaria on haematological and parasitological parameters, 332 malaria positive subjects were assigned to three groups comprising 138 children treated with AQAS, 43 treated with SP and 151 untreated. The changes and recovery in red cell indices, white blood cell and differential and platelets counts were compared. The highest haematological recovery (39.1%) occurred in the AQAS treatment group. The majority (94%) of the untreated cases never achieved haematological recovery even though there was spontaneous clearance of parasites in some cases. Haematological insult was greatest in untreated children followed by those treated with SP, the 1.1 -3 year age group whether or not they received treatment and in those with high parasitaemia. Delayed parasite clearance observed in the untreated and SP treatment group may be responsible for the occurrence of haematological insult. Treatment type and parasitological cure was associated with haematological recovery. Prompt use of effective arthemisinin combination therapy reduced the burden of malaria, hence the greater clinical and haematological benefits observed in our study

An analysis of social dimensions of podoconiosis and leprosy on affected households in endemic health districts of the North West Region of Cameroon

Background: Podoconiosis and leprosy are Neglected Tropical Diseases associated with low quality of life, social stigma and isolation of affected people and families. Despite the substantial social burden it imposes, podoconiosis has largely been ignored in the global health literature until recently unlike leprosy. This study assessed and compared the quality of life and social impact of podoconiosis with that of leprosy among affected households and neighborhoods in North West Cameroon. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional design was used. Eighty-six households: 43 podoconiosis and 43 leprosy, plus household neighbours were enrolled from July and August 2015 from three health districts. Podoconiosis patients living in households within Batibo and Ndop health districts were sequentially sampled using a list of confirmed podoconioisis cases from previous studies. Leprosy patients living within communities in Mejang Health Area were sequentially sampled using the Mbingo treatment center register. WHO BREF tool was used to assess quality of life. Franklin Stigma Scale was adapted to assess felt and enacted stigma. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare differences in stigma and QoL. Results: Physical domain showed a significant difference in the distribution in quality of life between groups (p < 0.05, median:70; U:635, r = 0.2). Overall enacted stigma revealed significant differences with p < 0.05 and r = 0.4. Overall stigma from family members (median:17, U:627 and r = 0.3) and neighbours (median:67, U:336 and r = 0.5) showed significant differences with p < 0.05 in the distribution of scores for both diseases. Sex and age showed significant associations with QoL and stigma. Conclusion: This study reveals the quality of life and stigma associated with podoconiosis on affected households to be comparable to that experienced by households with a leprosy patient. There is need for intensified preventive, management and control schemes to fight podoconiosis in Cameroon, just like leprosy

A Comparative analysis of economic cost of podoconiosos and leprosy on affected households in Northwest region of Cameroon

Leprosy and podoconiosis (podo) are neglected tropical diseases that cause severe disfigurement and disability, and may lead to catastrophic health expenditure and hinder economic development of affected persons and households. This study compared economic costs of both diseases on affected households with unaffected neighboring households in the Northwest Region (N.W.R.) of Cameroon. A matched comparative cross-sectional design was used enrolling 170 households (43 podo case households, 41 podo control households, 43 leprosy case households, and 43 leprosy control households) from three health districts in the N.W.R. Direct treatment costs for podo averaged 142 United State dollar (USD), compared with zero for leprosy (P < 0.001). This was also reflected in the proportion of annual household income consumed (0.4 versus 0.0, respectively, P < 0.001). Both diseases caused considerable reductions in working days (leprosy 115 versus podo 135 days. P for comparison < 0.001). The average household income was considerably lower in podo-affected households than unaffected households (410 versus 913 USD, P = 0.01), whereas income of leprosy-affected households was comparable to unaffected households (329 versus 399 USD, P = 0.23). Both leprosy and podo cause financial burdens on affected households, but those on podo-affected families are much greater. These burdens occur through direct treatment costs and reduced ability to work. Improved access to public health interventions for podo including prevention, morbidity management and disability prevention are likely to result in economic returns to affected families. In Cameroon, one approach to this would be through subsidized health insurance for these economically vulnerable households

Environmental Factors Affecting Malaria Parasite Prevalence in Rural Bolifamba, South- West Cameroon

The impact of some environmental factors on malaria parasite prevalence was investigated in rural Bolifamba, Cameroon. The study population comprised 1454 subjects aged 0 \u2013 65 years. Malaria parasite prevalence was higher in the rainy (50.1%) than in the dry season (44.2%) with a significant difference (P=0.001) in mean parasite density between seasons. Individuals &lt;15 years old, had significantly higher malaria parasite prevalence (55.5%) than those &gt;15 years (37.4%). Malaria parasite prevalence (P=0.001) and parasite density (P=0.03) were higher in the individuals of wooden plank houses than those of cement brick houses. Inhabitants of houses surrounded by bushes or garbage heaps and swamps or stagnant water showed higher malaria parasite prevalence and densities compared with those from cleaner surroundings. Anopheles gambiae (63.8%) and A. funestus (32.8%) were associated with perennial transmission of malaria. Our data indicates that poor environmental sanitation and housing conditions may be significant risk factors for malaria parasite burden in Bolifamba

THE BURDEN OF MALARIA AND MALNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN LESS THAN 14 YEARS OF AGE IN A RURAL VILLAGE OF CAMEROON

ABSTRACT Malaria and malnutrition are a major health burden in developing countries with infants and children being the most vulnerable groups. The extent of the burden of malaria and malnutrition was investigated in 339 children ≤14years residing in the village of Muea located in the South West Province of Cameroon. Malaria parasitaemia was determined microscopically from Giemsa stained thick blood films. Nutritional status was determined using age and the anthropometric parameters of weight and height. Height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ) and weight-forheight (WHZ) Z scores were computed based on the National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS)/World Health Organisation growth reference curves. Anaemia was assessed by measuring haemoglobin (Hb) concentration while plasma iron levels were determined by spectrophotometric assays. The prevalence of malaria in the study population was 96.2% (326/339) with a majority (68.4%) having asymptomatic disease. The geometric mean parasite density (GMPD) was 744.37 ± 89396.11 (parasitaemia range 40-153190 parasites/µL blood). The mean Hb concentration was 9.29 ± 1.8g/dL (range 4-14.1g/dL) and anaemia (Hb&lt;11g/dL) was diagnosed in 81.4% of the children, a majority of whom had microcytic anaemia. A negative correlation was observed between parasite density and haemoglobin concentration (r = -0.14). The mean plasma iron level was 53.64 ± 32.87µL/dl (range 1.8-159) with 58.7% (199/339) of the children diagnosed as iron deficient (plasma iron concentrations &lt;50µg/dL). A negative correlation was observed between plasma iron values and malaria parasitaemia (r = -0.031). The prevalence of malnutrition was 58.1% (197/339). Of the 197 malnourished children, 23.6% were wasted (&lt; -2 SD weight-for-height Z-score), 26.5% underweight (&lt; -2 SD weight-for-age Z score) and 49.9% stunted (&lt; -2 SD height-for-age Z score). There was a negative correlation between nutritional status and malaria parasitaemia (r =-0.034). The findings from this study are strongly suggestive that falciparum malaria and malnutrition exist in children residing in Muea and constitute a major health problem which needs to be immediately addressed to reduce morbidity and mortality