Investigating risk factors associated with the persistence of malaria in the Obang valley, North West Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Malaria interventions-vector control using long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) or indoor residual spraying, chemoprevention and case management including diagnosis and treatment of infections-are highly effective and affordable. These interventions have led to a significant reduction in malaria prevalence, and a marked decline in morbidity and mortality associated. Despite these increasing control efforts, this parasitic disease is still persisting in most African countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with malaria infection in the Obang Valley (North Western Cameroon) in order to identify potential bottlenecks in the malaria elimination procedure. A structured questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 100 individuals visiting the Mbakong Health Centre or attending the Obang Government High School. Association between malaria infection and individual household or environmental risk factors was investigated using logistic regression models. Malaria infection was not significantly associated with LLIN possession (p = 0.999) since 97% of interviewees received them free of charge. The age and habits (having each bed cover by a LLIN, time when doors and windows are closed or antimalarial medicine used) of study participants were however significantly associated with malaria infection (p < 0.033). These findings suggest that although the interventions recommended by the World Health Organization may help in reducing malaria prevalence and burden, it is of prime importance to also tackle associated risk factors which are mostly related to individual habits.

Malaria and typhoid co-infection: Prevalence, awareness and associated risk factors in patients attending Bafmeng Medicalised Health Centre in Fungom subdivision, North West region, Cameroon

“…Majority of the study population (86.6%) were aware about the cause of malaria whereas their awareness about the cause of typhoid was below average (48.0%). Therefore, the study population were well sensitised about malaria in accordance with Gangue et al (2018), although users of ITNs were slightly exposed to malaria risk factors. This might be due to their outdoor activities without taking preventive measures against mosquito bites and the degree of household crowding (Ferrari et al, 2016;Gangue et al, 2018).…”

“…Therefore, the study population were well sensitised about malaria in accordance with Gangue et al (2018), although users of ITNs were slightly exposed to malaria risk factors. This might be due to their outdoor activities without taking preventive measures against mosquito bites and the degree of household crowding (Ferrari et al, 2016;Gangue et al, 2018). In addition, living in homes with bushes around was a malaria risk factor just as late acquisition of mosquito net and its utilisation.…”

“…These interventions have led to a significant reduction in malaria prevalence (Nimpaye et al, 2001;Kamgang et al ., 2011;Ndo et al, 2011;WHO, 2017 andWHO, 2020). According to Gangue et al (2018), education of the population about malaria clinical signs, burden and appropriate prevention and treatment measures should be of high interest to create awareness against wrong beliefs of populations and therefore avoid/limit inappropriate habits in controlling the disease and equally translated into policy to preserve the achievements reached so far in the fight against malaria. Typhoid fever outbreaks can be linked to poor water management.…”

Optimal Policy Learning for Disease Prevention Using Reinforcement Learning

“…e authors in [70] have discussed safety applications related to AI in those domains where deep reinforcement learning is applied to the control of automatic mobile robots. An investigation of the risk associated with malaria infection to identify those bottlenecks in different malaria elimination techniques is discussed in [71]. Other relevant studies can be found in [72][73][74].…”