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Sondo P, Rouamba T, Tahita MC, Derra K, Kabore B, Tibiri YNG, Kabore HAELF, Hien SVF, Ouedraogo F, Kazienga A, Ilboudo H, Rouamba E, Lefevre T, Tinto H. Baseline malarial and nutritional profile of children under seasonal malaria chemoprevention coverage in the health district of Nanoro, Burkina Faso. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287210. [PMID: 37363896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Seasonal Malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is one of the large-scale life-saving malaria interventions initially recommended for the Sahel subregion, including Burkina Faso and recently extended to other parts of Africa. Initially, SMC was restricted to children 3 to 59 months old, but an extension to older children in some locations was recently recommended. Further characterization of SMC population profile beyond age criterion is necessary for understanding factors that could negatively impact the effectiveness of the intervention and to define complementary measures that could enhance its impact. Children were assessed through a cross-sectional survey during the first month of the 2020 SMC campaign (July-August 2020) as part of the SMC-NUT project in the health district of Nanoro. Parameters such as body temperature, weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were assessed. In addition, blood sample was collected for malaria diagnosis by rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and microscopy, and for haemoglobin measurement. A total of 1059 children were enrolled. RDT positivity rate (RPR) was 22.2%, while microscopy positivity rate (MPR) was 10.4%, with parasitaemia levels ranging from 40 to 70480/μL. RPR and MPR increased as patient age increased. Wasting was observed in 7.25% of children under SMC coverage while the prevalence of stunting and underweight was 48.79% and 23.38%, respectively. As the age of the children increased, an improvement in their nutritional status was observed. Finally, undernourished children had higher parasite densities than children with adequate nutritional status. In the health district of Nanoro, children who received Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) were mostly undernourished during the period of SMC delivery, suggesting the need for combining the SMC with synergistic interventions against malnutrition to achieve best impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Sondo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN), Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Toussaint Rouamba
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN), Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Marc Christian Tahita
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN), Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Karim Derra
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN), Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Berenger Kabore
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN), Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | | | | | - So-Vii Franck Hien
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN), Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Florence Ouedraogo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN), Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Adama Kazienga
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN), Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Hamidou Ilboudo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN), Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Eli Rouamba
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN), Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Thiery Lefevre
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Halidou Tinto
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN), Nanoro, Burkina Faso
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Mapping the Structure of Social Vulnerability Systems for Malaria in East Africa. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12125112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Millions of people fall ill with malaria every year—most of them are located in sub-Saharan Africa. The weight of the burden of malaria on a society is determined by a complex interplay of environmental and social factors, including poverty, awareness and education, among others. A substantial share of the affected population is characterized by a general lack of anticipation and coping capacities, which renders them particularly vulnerable to the disease and its adverse side effects. This work aims at identifying interdependencies and feedback mechanisms in the malaria social vulnerability system and their variations in space by combining concepts, methods and tools from Climate Change Adaptation, Spatial Analysis, and Statistics and System Dynamics. The developed workflow is applied to a selected set of social, economic and biological vulnerability indicators covering five East-African Nations. As the study areas’ local conditions vary in a multitude of aspects, the social vulnerability system is assumed to vary accordingly throughout space. The study areas’ spatial entities were therefore aggregated into three system-regions using correlation-based clustering. Their respective correlation structures are displayed as Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs). While the three resulting CLDs do not necessarily display causal relations (as the set of social vulnerability indicators are likely linked through third variables and parts of the data are proxies), they give a good overview of the data, can be used as basis for discussions in participatory settings and can potentially enhance the understanding the malaria vulnerability system.
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Asoba GN, Sumbele IUN, Anchang-Kimbi JK, Metuge S, Teh RN. Influence of infant feeding practices on the occurrence of malnutrition, malaria and anaemia in children ≤5 years in the Mount Cameroon area: A cross sectional study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219386. [PMID: 31318896 PMCID: PMC6638998 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different infant feeding habits on the occurrence of malnutrition, Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia and anaemia in children ≤5 years in the Mount Cameroon area. METHODOLOGY A total of 1227 children ≤5 years of age were recruited in a descriptive cross-sectional study. Socio demographic data and information on the different infant feeding habits was obtained by the use of semi-structured questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed by the use of anthropometric measurements. Plasmodium was detected by light microscopy and haemoglobin was measured by use of an auto-haematology analyser. Anaemia as well as its severity was classified based on WHO standards. The associations between variables were assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS The prevalence of exclusive breast feeding (EBF) was 22.6%, mixed feeding (MF) was 60.1% and those not breastfed (NBF) at all was 17.3%. The prevalence of malnutrition, P. falciparum parasitaemia and anaemia was 32.6%, 30.4% and 77.3% respectively. Children who had EBF had significantly lower (P <0.001) prevalence of malaria parasite (16.2%) than those NBF at all (61.3%). The prevalence of anaemia was significantly higher (P <0.001) in children who had MF (80.5%) while, severe and moderate anaemia was highest in those NBF at all (6.6%, 67.1% respectively; P = 0.029) than their counterparts. The significant predictors of anaemia were age group (P <0.001), marital status (P <0.001) and educational level of parent (P <0.001), that for malaria parasitaemia was infant feeding habit (MF: P< 0.001 and NBF: P <0.001) and malnutrition was age group (≤2 years: P <0.008 and 2.1-4.0 years: P = 0.028). CONCLUSION The infant feeding habit significantly influenced the occurrence of malaria parasite infection and not malnutrition and anaemia, hence EBF should be encouraged in malaria endemic zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Nkeudem Asoba
- Department of Social Economy and Family Management, Higher Technical Teachers' Training College, University of Buea, Kumba, Cameroon
| | | | | | - Samuel Metuge
- Department of Social Economy and Family Management, Higher Technical Teachers' Training College, University of Buea, Kumba, Cameroon
| | - Rene Ning Teh
- Department of Social Economy and Family Management, Higher Technical Teachers' Training College, University of Buea, Kumba, Cameroon
- Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
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Teh RN, Sumbele IUN, Meduke DN, Ojong ST, Kimbi HK. Malaria parasitaemia, anaemia and malnutrition in children less than 15 years residing in different altitudes along the slope of Mount Cameroon: prevalence, intensity and risk factors. Malar J 2018; 17:336. [PMID: 30249261 PMCID: PMC6154899 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2492-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria, anaemia and malnutrition are frequently co-existing diseases that cause significant morbidity and mortality particularly among children. This study measured the prevalence, intensity and evaluated risk factors for malaria parasitaemia, anaemia and malnutrition among children living at low versus high altitude settings in the Mount Cameroon area. Methods A cross-sectional community based survey involving 828 children aged 6 months to 14 years was conducted between July and November 2017. Malaria parasitaemia was confirmed by light microscopy, haemoglobin concentration was measured using an auto haematology analyser, nutritional status was determined from the anthropometric measurements collected, and socioeconomic status related variables by the use of questionnaire. Anaemia and malnutrition were defined according to World Health Organization standards. Associations between predictor variables and primary outcomes were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results Malaria parasite and anaemia were prevalent in 41.7% and 56.2% of the children, respectively while, malnutrition prevalence was 34.8% with wasting, underweight and stunting occurring in 25.7%, 19.9% and 23.7% of them respectively. Overall malaria parasite geometric mean density was 413/µL of blood (range 100–27,060). The odds of having malaria parasitaemia was highest in children 5–9 years of age [odd ratio (OR) = 1.69, P = 0.006], living in lowland (OR = 1.48, P = 0.008) as well as those whose domestic water was collected from an open source (streams/springs) (OR = 1.81, P = 0.005) than their counterparts. Being < 5 years (OR = 3.15, P = < 0.001) or 5–9 years (OR = 2.20, P < 0.001) of age, having malaria parasite (OR = 2.07, P = < 0.001) and fever in the past 2 days (OR = 1.52, P < 0.04) were identified as significant risk factors of anaemia while the age group < 5 years was the only significant risk (OR = 3.09, P = < 0.001) associated with malnutrition. Conclusion While age specific attention should be given in the control of malaria (5–9 years), anaemia (< 10 years) and malnutrition (< 5 years), the existing malaria control programmes should be revised to integrate anaemia and malnutrition control strategies so as to improve upon the health of the children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rene Ning Teh
- Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | | | | | - Samuel Takang Ojong
- Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.,Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Helen Kuokuo Kimbi
- Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.,Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon
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Gari T, Loha E, Deressa W, Solomon T, Lindtjørn B. Malaria increased the risk of stunting and wasting among young children in Ethiopia: Results of a cohort study. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190983. [PMID: 29324840 PMCID: PMC5764317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given the high prevalence of malnutrition in a malaria-endemic setting, improving nutritional status could serve as a tool to prevent malaria. However, the relationship between the two conditions remains unclear. Therefore, this study assessed the association between under-nutrition and malaria among a cohort of children aged 6 to 59 months old. METHODS Two cohorts of children were followed for 89 weeks in a rural Rift Valley area of Ethiopia. In the first approach (malaria-malnutrition), a cohort of 2,330 non-stunted and 4,204 non-wasted children were included to assess under-nutrition (outcome) based on their previous malaria status (exposure). In the second approach (malnutrition-malaria), a cohort of 4,468 children were followed-up to measure malaria (outcome), taking under-nutrition as an exposure. A weekly home visit was carried out to identify malaria cases. Four anthropometry surveys were conducted, and generalized estimating equation (GEE) method was used to measure the association between undernutrition and malaria. RESULTS The prevalence of stunting was 44.9% in December 2014, 51.5% in August 2015, 50.7% in December 2015 and 48.1% in August 2016. We observed 103 cases with 118 episodes of malaria, 684 new stunting and 239 new wasting cases. The incidence rate per 10,000 weeks of observation was 3.8 for malaria, 50.4 for stunting and 8.2 for wasting. Children with malaria infection, [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.9; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.2-2.9)] and younger age (AOR = 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.5) were more likely to be stunted. Furthermore, children with malaria infection (AOR = 8.5; 95% CI, 5.0-14.5) and young age group (AOR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.1) were more likely to be wasted. However, stunting and wasting were not risk factors of subsequent malaria illness. CONCLUSIONS Malaria infection was a risk factor for stunting and wasting, but stunting or wasting was not associated with subsequent malaria illness. As our study shows that malaria is a risk factor for stunting and wasting, a close follow-up of the nutritional status of such children may be needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION PACT R2014 11000 882128 (8 September 2014).
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Affiliation(s)
- Taye Gari
- School of Public and Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
- Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Eskindir Loha
- School of Public and Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Wakgari Deressa
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tarekegn Solomon
- School of Public and Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
- Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Bernt Lindtjørn
- Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Ferreira ED, Alexandre MA, Salinas JL, de Siqueira AM, Benzecry SG, de Lacerda MVG, Monteiro WM. Association between anthropometry-based nutritional status and malaria: a systematic review of observational studies. Malar J 2015; 14:346. [PMID: 26377094 PMCID: PMC4574180 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0870-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple studies in various parts of the world have analysed the association of nutritional status on malaria using anthropometric measures, but results differ due to the heterogeneity of the study population, species of the parasite, and other factors involved in the host and parasite relationship. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review on the inter-relationship of nutritional status based on anthropometry and malarial infection. METHODS Two independent reviewers accessed the MEDLINE and LILACS databases using the same search terms related to malaria and anthropometry. Prospective studies associating anthropometry and malaria (incidence or severity) were selected. References from the included studies and reviews were used to increase the review sensitivity. Data were extracted using a standardized form and the quality of the prospective studies was assessed. Selected articles were grouped based on exposures and outcomes. RESULTS The search identified a total of 1688 studies: 1629 from MEDLINE and 59 from LILACS. A total of 23 met the inclusion criteria. Five additional studies were detected by reading the references of the 23 included studies and reviews, totaling 28 studies included. The mean sample size was 662.1 people, ranging from 57 to 5620. The mean follow-up was 365.8 days, ranging from 14 days to 1 year and 9 months, and nine studies did not report the follow-up period. Prospective studies assessing the relationship between malaria and malnutrition were mostly carried out in Africa. Of the 20 studies with malarial outcomes, fifteen had high and five had average quality, with an average score of 80.5 %. Most anthropometric parameters had no association with malaria incidence (47/52; 90.4 %) or parasite density (20/25; 80 %). However, the impact of malnutrition was noted in malaria mortality and severity (7/17; 41.2 %). Regarding the effects of malaria on malnutrition, malaria was associated with very few anthropometric parameters (8/39; 20.6 %). CONCLUSIONS This systematic review found that most of the evidence associating malaria and malnutrition comes from P. falciparum endemic areas, with a significant heterogeneity in studies' design. Apparently malnutrition has not a great impact on malaria morbidity, but could have a negative impact on malaria mortality and severity. Most studies show no association between malaria and subsequent malnutrition in P. falciparum areas. In Plasmodium vivax endemic areas, malaria was associated with malnutrition in children. A discussion among experts in the field is needed to standardize future studies to increase external validity and accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrem d'Avila Ferreira
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus, AM, 69040-000, Brazil.
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus, AM, 69040-000, Brazil.
| | - Márcia A Alexandre
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus, AM, 69040-000, Brazil.
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus, AM, 69040-000, Brazil.
| | - Jorge L Salinas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, 49 Jesse Hill Jr Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
| | - André M de Siqueira
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus, AM, 69040-000, Brazil.
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus, AM, 69040-000, Brazil.
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.
| | - Silvana G Benzecry
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus, AM, 69040-000, Brazil.
| | - Marcus V G de Lacerda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus, AM, 69040-000, Brazil.
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus, AM, 69040-000, Brazil.
- Instituto de Pesquisas Leônidas and Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rua Terezina, 476, Adrianópolis, Manaus, AM, 69057-070, Brazil.
| | - Wuelton M Monteiro
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus, AM, 69040-000, Brazil.
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus, AM, 69040-000, Brazil.
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Kienberger S, Hagenlocher M. Spatial-explicit modeling of social vulnerability to malaria in East Africa. Int J Health Geogr 2014; 13:29. [PMID: 25127688 PMCID: PMC4152278 DOI: 10.1186/1476-072x-13-29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite efforts in eradication and control, malaria remains a global challenge, particularly affecting vulnerable groups. Despite the recession in malaria cases, previously malaria free areas are increasingly confronted with epidemics as a result of changing environmental and socioeconomic conditions. Next to modeling transmission intensities and probabilities, integrated spatial methods targeting the complex interplay of factors that contribute to social vulnerability are required to effectively reduce malaria burden. We propose an integrative method for mapping relative levels of social vulnerability in a spatially explicit manner to support the identification of intervention measures. Methods Based on a literature review, a holistic risk and vulnerability framework has been developed to guide the assessment of social vulnerability to water-related vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in the context of changing environmental and societal conditions. Building on the framework, this paper applies spatially explicit modeling for delineating homogeneous regions of social vulnerability to malaria in eastern Africa, while taking into account expert knowledge for weighting the single vulnerability indicators. To assess the influence of the selected indicators on the final index a local sensitivity analysis is carried out. Results Results indicate that high levels of malaria vulnerability are concentrated in the highlands, where immunity within the population is currently low. Additionally, regions with a lack of access to education and health services aggravate vulnerability. Lower values can be found in regions with relatively low poverty, low population pressure, low conflict density and reduced contributions from the biological susceptibility domain. Overall, the factors characterizing vulnerability vary spatially in the region. The vulnerability index reveals a high level of robustness in regard to the final choice of input datasets, with the exception of the immunity indicator which has a marked impact on the composite vulnerability index. Conclusions We introduce a conceptual framework for modeling risk and vulnerability to VBDs. Drawing on the framework we modeled social vulnerability to malaria in the context of global change using a spatially explicit approach. The results provide decision makers with place-specific options for targeting interventions that aim at reducing the burden of the disease amongst the different vulnerable population groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Kienberger
- Interfaculty Department of Geoinformatics - Z_GIS, University of Salzburg, Schillerstraße 30, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
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Mitangala PN, D'Alessandro U, Donnen P, Hennart P, Porignon D, Bisimwa Balaluka G, Zozo Nyarukweba D, Cobohwa Mbiribindi N, Dramaix Wilmet M. [Malaria infection and nutritional status: results from a cohort survey of children from 6-59 months old in the Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo]. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique 2013; 61:111-20. [PMID: 23489948 DOI: 10.1016/j.respe.2012.06.404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2011] [Revised: 06/16/2012] [Accepted: 06/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite a reduction in the magnitude of endemic malaria reported in recent years, malaria and protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) still remain major causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa among children under five. The relationship between malaria and malnutrition remains a topic of controversy. We aimed to investigate malaria infection according to nutritional status in a community-based survey. METHODS A cohort of 790 children aged 6 to 59 months and residing in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo was followed-up from April 2009 to March 2010 with monthly visits. Data on nutritional status, morbidity between visits, use of insecticide-treated nets and malaria parasitemia were collected at each visit. The Z scores height for age, weight for age and weight for height were computed using the reference population defined by the WHO in 2006. Thresholds for Z scores were defined at -3 and -2. A binary logistic model of the generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to quantify the association between PEM indicators and malaria parasitemia. Odds ratio (OR) and their 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were computed. RESULTS After adjustment for season, children with severe stunting (height for age Z score<-3) were at lower risk of malaria parasitemia greater or equal to 5000 trophozoits/μL of blood as compared to those in with a better nutritional status (height for age Z score≥-2) (OR=0.48, 95% CI: 0.25-0.91). CONCLUSION Severely stunted children are at a lower risk of high-level malaria parasitemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- P N Mitangala
- École de santé publique, département de biostatistique, Université libre de Bruxelles, campus Erasme, route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium.
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Fillol F, Sarr JB, Boulanger D, Cisse B, Sokhna C, Riveau G, Simondon KB, Remoué F. Impact of child malnutrition on the specific anti-Plasmodium falciparum antibody response. Malar J 2009; 8:116. [PMID: 19490641 PMCID: PMC2700128 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-8-116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2009] [Accepted: 06/02/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In sub-Saharan Africa, preschool children represent the population most vulnerable to malaria and malnutrition. It is widely recognized that malnutrition compromises the immune function, resulting in higher risk of infection. However, very few studies have investigated the relationship between malaria, malnutrition and specific immunity. In the present study, the anti-Plasmodium falciparum IgG antibody (Ab) response was evaluated in children according to the type of malnutrition. Methods Anthropometric assessment and blood sample collection were carried out during a cross-sectional survey including rural Senegalese preschool children. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in July 2003 at the onset of the rainy season. Malnutrition was defined as stunting (height-for-age <-2 z-scores) or wasting (weight-for-height <-2 z-scores). The analysis was performed on all malnourished children in July (n = 161, either stunted, n = 142 or wasted, n = 19), pair-matched to well-nourished controls. The IgG Ab response to P. falciparum whole extracts (schizont antigens) was assessed by ELISA in sera of the included children. Results Both the prevalence of anti-malarial immune responders and specific IgG Ab levels were significantly lower in malnourished children than in controls. Depending on the type of malnutrition, wasted children and stunted children presented a lower specific IgG Ab response than their respective controls, but this difference was significant only in stunted children (P = 0.026). This down-regulation of the specific Ab response seemed to be explained by severely stunted children (HAZ ≤ -2.5) compared to their controls (P = 0.03), while no significant difference was observed in mildly stunted children (-2.5 < HAZ <-2.0). The influence of child malnutrition on the specific anti-P. falciparum Ab response appeared to be independent of the intensity of infection. Conclusion Child malnutrition, and particularly stunting, may down-regulate the anti-P. falciparum Ab response, both in terms of prevalence of immune responders and specific IgG Ab levels. This study provides further evidence for the influence of malnutrition on the specific anti-malarial immune response and points to the importance of taking into account child malnutrition in malaria epidemiological studies and vaccine trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florie Fillol
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Unité Mixte de Recherche 145, Montpellier, France.
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Abstract
Malaria is still a major cause of death and severe illness among children in many parts of tropical Africa, but only a small proportion of children, perhaps 1-2%, who become ill with malaria develop severe disease. Why only, some children experience a severe or fatal attack is not understood clearly. In this article, Brian Greenwood, Kevin Marsh and Robert Snow review some of those characteristics of the parasite and the host that may influence the outcome of a malaria infection. Identification of the relative importance of the many factors likely to be involved is needed in order to develop rational strategies for the prevention of deaths from malaria among children in malaria-endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Greenwood
- Medical Research Council Laboratories, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia, Kenya
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Abstract
This review critically examines the relationship between nutritional status and malaria. The data indicate that protein-energy malnutrition is associated with greater malaria morbidity and mortality in humans. In addition, controlled trials of either vitamin A or zinc supplementation show that these nutrients can substantially reduce clinical malaria attacks. Data for iron indicate that supplementation may minimally aggravate certain malariometric indices in some settings and also strongly improve hematologic status. Withholding of iron supplements from deficient population is, therefore, not currently indicated. Available evidence for other nutrients describe varied effects, with some deficiencies being exacerbative (e.g., thiamine), protective (e.g., vitamin E), or both exacerbative and protective in different settings (e.g., riboflavin, vitamin C). The roles of folate, other B vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids, amino acids, and selenium are also examined. Study of the interactions between nutrition and malaria may provide insight to protective mechanisms and result in nutrient-based interventions as low-cost and effective adjuncts to current methods of malaria prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Shankar
- Departments of International Health and of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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Man WD, Weber M, Palmer A, Schneider G, Wadda R, Jaffar S, Mulholland EK, Greenwood BM. Nutritional status of children admitted to hospital with different diseases and its relationship to outcome in The Gambia, West Africa. Trop Med Int Health 1998; 3:678-86. [PMID: 9735938 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3156.1998.00283.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Admission records from two paediatric units in The Gambia were used to explore the relationship between admission weight and different diseases. In total 13579 hospitalized children were analysed. For comparison, 7399 children were recruited from several surveys of well subjects to provide anthropometric values for healthy Gambian children. Compared to the control children, mean admission weights were lower for malaria (weight for age z-score: -1.602), cerebral malaria (-1.547), transfused malarial anaemia (-1.764), pneumonia (-1.725), meningitis (-1.362), gastro-enteritis (-2.497) and malnutrition (-3.786). Children with bronchiolitis did not have a significantly different weight for age than the controls. Outcome of the hospital admission was recorded and related to the weight on admission. In all disease categories the death rate rose with decreasing admission weight with the exception of bronchiolitis. For all diseases taken together, case fatality was 7.2% for children with a weight for age z-score above -2 Standard Deviations (SD), 9.3% between -2 and -3 SD, 15.6% between -3 and -4 SD and 22.7% for children with weight for age SD z-scores less than -4. Malnourished children are more susceptible to several infectious diseases frequently seen in developing countries and nutritional interventions, as well as standard treatment, may improve outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- W D Man
- Medical Research Council Laboratories, Fajara, The Gambia
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13
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Ghosh SK, Yadav RS, Das BS, Sharma VP. Influence of nutritional and haemoglobin status on malaria infection in children. Indian J Pediatr 1995; 62:321-6. [PMID: 10829885 DOI: 10.1007/bf02753595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Anaemia and malnutrition have been suggested to confer some degree of protection against malaria infection. Therefore, the influence of nutritional status as assessed anthropometrically and that of haemoglobin level on the incidence of malaria and the degree of parasitaemia was studied in 330 children in the age range of 1-9 years in Bisra block near Rourkela in Orissa state. Moderate to severe malnutrition as assessed from percentage of ideal weight was found in 48.8% (161/330) of children but only 8.8% (29/330) of children had some degree of malnutrition when assessed as weight for height indicating presence of chronic malnutrition. Similarly, 197 children (59.7%) had various grades of anaemia as estimated by haemoglobin level prevalence of malaria on initial examination was 27.6% (91/330), while incidence of clinical malaria in children during the year of study was 250/1000. There was no statistical difference in the Prevalence/incidence of malaria or severity of P. falciparum parasitaemia at different haemoglobin or nutritional levels (p > 0.05). No child died or developed severe complications requiring hospitalization. Therefore, anaemia or malnutrition do not appear to provide any protection against malaria or degree of parasitaemia in the children around Rourkela.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Ghosh
- Malaria Research Centre, Rourkela, Banglore
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Snow RW, Byass P, Shenton FC, Greenwood BM. The relationship between anthropometric measurements and measurements of iron status and susceptibility to malaria in Gambian children. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1991; 85:584-9. [PMID: 1780980 DOI: 10.1016/0035-9203(91)90351-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropometric measurements were made and serum iron and ferritin levels determined in a group of Gambian children at the beginning of the rainy season and these findings were related to the malaria experience of the children during the following malaria transmission season. Susceptibility to malaria was not correlated with prior weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height or serum albumin, or with serum iron, serum iron binding capacity nor serum ferritin. Thus, our findings do not provide any support for the view that poor nutritional status, as assessed by anthropometric measurements, or iron deficiency protect against malaria infection. Children who developed a clinical attack of malaria accompanied by a high level of parasitaemia tended to have a higher mean weight-for-age at the beginning of the rainy season than did children who had a clinical attack accompanied by a low level of parasitaemia, but the difference between groups was not statistically significant. However, they had a significantly higher mean serum ferritin level (P less than 0.01).
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Affiliation(s)
- R W Snow
- Medical Research Council Laboratories, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
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