Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Malaria and Anemia in Children Aged 0-12 Years Attending the Nkwen District Hospital Bamenda Cameroon
Sr No:
Page No:
1-22
Language:
English
Authors:
Akenji Carine Ngum*, Prof. Nguemaïm Flore, Brain Tarawo Kwinji, Esoh Rane Tanwieh, Laisin Mariette Vernyuy, Awizoba Hodabalo
Received:
2024-12-09
Accepted:
2024-12-22
Published Date:
2024-12-24
Abstract:
Background: Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other
animals. The most serious and sometimes fatal type of malaria is caused by Plasmodium
falciparum. The other human malaria species, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and sometimes P.
knowlesi can cause acute, severe illness but mortality rates are low. A signifcant proportion of
these deaths resulted directly or indirectly from anemia. Anemia defined as a low blood
hemoglobin concentration, has been shown to be a public health problem. The prevalence of
malaria and anemia is associated with Parents’ age, education level and who they live with as
well as where they live.
Objectives: The general objective of this research is on the prevalence of malaria and anemia
and the associated risk factors in children aged 0-12years
Methods: This was a hospital based cross sectional study in the Nkwen District Hospital
Bamenda where questionnaires were administered to collect information for social demographic
and risk factors of malaria and anemia. Malaria tests was done microscopically staining with
giemsa and anemia evaluated by was done using a hemoglobinometer to get the hemoglobin
range
Results: The total prevalence of malaria, anemia and malaria with anemia was 15.5%, 44% and
11.5% respectively. Our study also reveal some associated risk factors of malaria, anemia and
malaria with anemia face by children from 0 to 12years such as sex, age of child and parents,
single parent, and some other instrisic factors like use of ITNs, outdoor sleeping, use of
insecticide and the transfusion history.
Conclusion: this study revealed that malaria and anaemia constitute public health problems in
the area with anemia being a severe public health concern while malaria is a mild public health
issue in children attending the Nkwen District Hospital . Parents’ age, level of education, where
they live was directly linked to malaria and all anaemia forms as well as risk factors like ITNs,
mosquito insecticides, stagnant water in the environment and outdoor sleeping. Hence measures
should be put in place in order to reduce the prevalence of malaria and anemia amongst children
and it is important to conduct further investigations to identify the underlying causes of anemia
in children.
Keywords:
Prevalence, Malaria, Anemia, Nkwen District Hospital.