Effects of Age, Gender and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection on Prevalence of Plasmodium Infection among Population Living in Bata District, Equatorial Guinea

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) co-infection is an important parasitic infection affecting populations in co-endemic countries including Equatorial Guinea. To date, the health impact of STH and malaria co-infection is inconclusive. The current study aimed to report the malaria and STH infection epidemiology in the continental region of Equatorial Guinea. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study between October 2020 and January 2021 in the Bata district of Equatorial Guinea. Participants aged 1–9 years, 10–17 years and above 18 were recruited. Fresh venous blood was collected for malaria testing via mRDTs and light microscopy. Stool specimens were collected, and the Kato–Katz technique was used to detect the presence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, hookworm spp. and intestinal Schistosoma eggs. Results: A total of 402 participants were included in this study. An amount of 44.3% of them lived in urban areas, and only 51.9% of them reported having bed nets. Malaria infections were detected in 34.8% of the participants, while 50% of malaria infections were reported in children aged 10–17 years. Females had a lower prevalence of malaria (28.8%) compared with males (41.7%). Children of 1–9 years carried more gametocytes compared with other age groups. An amount of 49.3% of the participants infected with T. trichiura had malaria parasites compared with those infected with A. lumbricoides (39.6%) or both (46.8%). Conclusions: The overlapping problem of STH and malaria is neglected in Bata. The current study forces the government and other stakeholders involved in the fight against malaria and STH to consider a combined control program strategy for both parasitic infections in Equatorial Guinea.

Malaria, HIV, and Intestinal Coccidian Parasites Mixed-Infections in Adult Patients in the Fundong Health District, Northwest Region, Cameroon

“…In our study antenatal visits by pregnant women and the ability of women to seek health accounted for the higher number of females participants explained the result obtained. However, it was contrary to studies in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea and Australia [28][29][30] where males were found more affected with opportunistic intestinal parasites than females. In Australia men with same sex (MSM) where coccidian infection was reportedly high 52% among MSM compared to 13% among non-MSM.…”

“…No significant association was found between malaria and the sociodemographic such as age, gender, occupation, and level of education (P value= >0.05). Similar findings were revealed in earlier reports [28][29], which found no association between sodemographic factors and malaria. Fever was the most reported symptom and was found to be significantly associated with malaria intensity Pvalue=<0.05.This is similar to the study by Ngum et al [44] who conclude that high parasitaemia contributes to malaria prevalence and severity.…”

“…This finding concords with the study by Njunda et al [22] in Yaoundé, where no significant association between malaria and coccidian parasitic infections was observed. However, it contradict the study in Equatorial Guinea where the prevalence of malaria was significantly higher in patients that were coinfected with (IPs) [29]. No significant association was found between malaria and the sociodemographic such as age, gender, occupation, and level of education (P value= >0.05).…”

“…A study suggests intestinal parasites and fungi infections have modulatory effects on malaria infection pathophysiology [29]. The study investigated the prevalence of malaria in groups of individuals categorised with and without intestinal parasites.…”