Malaria/Intestinal Helminth Co-Infections and Anemia in Antsokia-Gemza District, Amhara National Regional State
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Date
2007-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The study was conducted on 595 individuals aged 5–65 years old residing in Antsokia-Gemza District, North Shoa Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Northern Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to investigate the extent of association of malaria, intestinal helminth infections and malaria/intestinal helminth co-infections with anemia in the community. Blood was collected by finger pricking to determine the malaria parasite species involved, the parasitaemia and haemoglobin concentration. Haemoglobin concentration was measured by using a portable spectrophotometer (Hemocue HB 201). The Kato-Katz technique of stool examination was used to determine prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminth infections. The overall prevalence of malaria, intestinal helminth infections, and co-infections were 43.1%, 31.5%, and 14.0%, respectively. The overall prevalence of anemia and severe anemia was 32.9% and 1.8%, respectively. Prevalence of anemia in individuals with malaria, intestinal helminth infection, and malaria/intestinal helminth co-infections was 31.5%, 25.0% and 45.3%, respectively. Prevalence of anemia was significantly higher and mean haemoglobin concentration was significantly lower among individuals with malaria/intestinal helminth co-infections as compared to those with only malaria or intestinal helminth infections. Univariate analysis identified malaria (OR = 2.325, p<0.001) and malaria/hookworm co-infection (OR = 6.133, p<0.001) as significant risk factors of anemia in the community. Malaria/hookworm co-infections were found to have contributing effect to low haemoglobin level. However, the overall prevalence of anemia was lower than what has been reported from a similar study in Wolayita, Southern Ethiopia. Consumption of teff as a staple food, in the present study area, was speculated as a possible factor contributing to the relatively lower prevalence of anemia as compared to the non-teff staple food region in Wolayita. Implementations of malaria control measures and institution of deworming programs to prevent parasitic infections are recommended to reduce anemia prevalence to the level below what is of public health concern in the study area.
Key words: malaria, anemia, intestinal helminths, co-infections, Antsokia-Gemza District, Ethiopia
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Keywords
malaria, anemia, intestinal helminths, co-infections, Antsokia-Gemza District, Ethiopia