Intestinal Helminths And Anemia in a Malaria Endemic Area, Areka, Wolyta Zone
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Date
2006-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The overall aim of the study was to determine the contribution of intestinal helminth
infections to the prevalence of anemia caused by malaria in a population living in a poor
small town, Areka. Malaria and helminth infections were highly prevalent in the study
population. The severity of anemia due to malaria and helminth infections alone and in
malaria–helminth co-infections was assessed. Patients (n = 767) who visited Areka
Health Center, students from Areka Senior Secondary School and persons who
accompanied patients to the Health Center were randomly screened for anemia, malaria
and helminth infections. Uninfected individuals (n = 291) were taken as controls. Anemia
was defined as Hemoglobin(Hgb) less than 11 g/dl in children < 6 years, < 12 g/dl in
children 6-14 years and females >14 years and < 13 g/dl in males above the age of 14
years. The prevalence of anemia in cases (individuals who were positive for either
malaria or helminth infections) was 45.1 % and in the control group 14.8 %. Severe
anemia (Hgb < 7 g/dl) was 7.8 % in the malaria and/or helminth infected and was none in
the controls. Infected children less than 6 years of age were more anemic, with an overall
prevalence of 52.8 %. Anemia was more prevalent in infected adult females as compared
to infected adult males (37.6 % and 22.6 %, respectively). Children less than 6 years of
age were more vulnerable to malaria, whereas children 6-14 years old had a higher
prevalence of A. lumbricoides (18.2%) & T. trichiura (14.2%). Hookworm infection
prevalence was the highest (19.4%) in the age group14 years and above. The main risk
factors for anemia were identified as malaria in all age groups, hookworm infection in
adults and malaria-hookworm co-infection in children below the age of 14 years. Data
indicated that no association with anemia could be drawn for A. lumbricoides and T.
trichiura infections. Anemia control should include prevention and treatment of malaria
and hookworm infections and by a deworming program of the general population.
Nutritional iron deficiency prevalent in the study community may have exacerbated
anemia. Thus dietary iron supplementation in the nutrition of the general population must
also be considered to control anemia in the population studied.
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Biology