Microbiology and Parasitology

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Browsing Microbiology and Parasitology by Subject "Anemia"

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    Anemia among Schoolchildren with Malaria and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Coinfections after Repeated Rounds of Mass Drug Administration in Muheza District, Tanzania
    (The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 2019) Mwaiswelo, Richard O.
    A coinfection with malaria and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) has been common among school-aged children in Tanzania. However, after a countrywide scaling up of interventions for malaria and STHs, there are limited data on the prevalence of malaria–STH coinfections and its effect on anemia in schoolchildren in Tanzania. We assessed the distribution and risk factors for malaria, STHs, and malaria–STH coinfections, and its relation to anemia among 445 primary schoolchildren in Muheza district. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic characteristics of the children. Malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) was used to diagnose malaria infection. Soil-transmitted helminths were diagnosed using the Kato–Katz technique. Primary outcome was anemia, defined as hemoglobin concentration < 11 g/dL. Chisquare (χ2) or Fisher’s exact tests, Kruskal–Wallis or t-test, and logistic models were used as appropriate. Overall, the prevalence of malaria, STHs, malaria–STH coinfection, and anemia were 18.4%, 6.1%, 1.6%, and 19.8%, respectively. Anemic children were more likely to have malaria (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.538, 95% CI: 2.189–9.409), whereas frequent use of bed nets was associated with reduced risk of malaria (aOR = 0.234, 95% CI: 0.130–0.42). On the other hand, not always using latrines and eating raw uncooked food increased the risk of STH infection. The prevalence of anemia was high and was associated with both malaria and malaria– STH infections, therefore calling for more integrated malaria–STH control approaches to target school-aged children.
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    Malaria infection and anemia status in under-five children from Southern Tanzania where seasonal malaria chemoprevention is being implemented.
    (PloS one, 2021) Mwaiswelo, Richard O.
    Background Malaria and anemia remain major public health challenges in Tanzania. Household socioeconomic factors are known to influence these conditions. However, it is not clear how these factors influence malaria transmission and anemia in Masasi and Nanyumbu Districts. This study presents findings on malaria and anemia situation in under-five children and its influencing socioeconomic factors in Masasi and Nanyumbu Districts, surveyed as part of an ongoing seasonal malaria chemoprevention operational study. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between August and September 2020. Finger-prick blood samples collected from children aged 3–59 months were used to test for malaria infection using malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT), thick smears for determination of asexual and sexual parasitemia, and thin smear for parasite speciation. Hemoglobin concentration was measured using a HemoCue spectrophotometer. A structured questionnaire was used to collect household socioeconomic information from parents/caregivers of screened children. The prevalence of malaria was the primary outcome. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression models were used appropriately. Results Overall mRDT-based malaria prevalence was 15.9% (373/2340), and was significantly higher in Nanyumbu (23.7% (167/705) than Masasi District (12.6% (206/1635), p<0.001. Location (Nanyumbu), no formal education, household number of people, household number of under-fives, not having a bed net, thatched roof, open/partially open eave, sand/soil floor, and low socioeconomic status were major risks for malaria infection. Some 53.9% (1196/2218) children had anemia, and the majority were in Nanyumbu (63.5% (458/705), p<0.001. Location (Nanyumbu), mRDT positive, not owning a bed net, not sleeping under bed net, open/partially open eave, thatched window, sex of the child, and age of the child were major risk factors for anemia. Conclusion Prevalence of malaria and anemia was high and was strongly associated with household socioeconomic factors. Improving household socioeconomic status is expected to reduce the prevalence of the conditions in the area.