The Impact of Malaria and Gastrointestinal Helminthiasis Co-infection on Anaemia and Severe Malaria among Children in Bugesera District, Rwanda
Umwanankundi Marcelline
Kampala International University, Uganda.
Umulisa Noella
Malaria and Other Parasitic Diseases/IHDPC/RBC, Rwanda.
Munyaneza Tharcisse
National Reference Health Laboratory/IHDPC/RBC, Rwanda.
Karema Corine
Malaria and Other Parasitic Diseases/IHDPC/RBC, Rwanda.
Maniga Josephat
Kampala International University, Uganda.
Barugahare John Banson *
Kampala International University, Uganda and Faculty of Science and Education, Busitema University, Uganda.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Determine the impact of malaria and gastrointestinal helminthiasis co-infection on anaemia and severe malaria among children aged 1 – 15 years.
Study Design: A cross sectional study was carried out.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in fifteen health centres of Bugesera District – Rwanda, between the months of April and October 2014.
Methodology: A total of 465 children were enrolled. Finger prick blood and stool were collected and examined according to the established standard methods. Data were double entered into EPI info software (Center for Disease Control and prevention, USA) and analysed using STATA Version 12.
Results: The overall prevalence for malaria, helminthiasis and anaemia was 30.8%, 47.5% and 30.1% respectively. The prevalence of malaria and helminthiasis was highest in the age group of 6 -10 years. The anaemia prevalence was highest in the age group of 1 – 5 years. The prevalence of malaria and helminthiasis co-infection was 61.5% while the associated anaemia prevalence was 38.5%. Severe malaria was dominant in co-infected children (Chi1= 31.5222, P <0.000).
Conclusions: Malaria and helminthiasis co-infection is a better predictor of anaemia than either malaria or helminthiasis. Malaria and helminthiasis co-infection was significantly associated with severe malaria. The impact of malaria and helminthiasis co-infection reported in this study needs further investigation.Malaria
Keywords: Malaria, helminthiasis, coinfection, anemia, severe-malaria, children, Busegera-District, Rwanda