Malaria and Helminth Co-Infections in School and Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Magu District, North-Western Tanzania

Abstract

BackgroundMalaria, schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminth infections (STH) are important parasitic infections in Sub-Saharan Africa where a significant proportion of people are exposed to co-infections of more than one parasite. In Tanzania, these infections are a major public health problem particularly in school and pre-school children. The current study investigated malaria and helminth co-infections and anaemia in school and pre-school children in Magu district, Tanzania.MethodologySchool and pre-school children were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Stool samples were examined for Schistosoma mansoni and STH infections using Kato Katz technique. Urine samples were examined for Schistosoma haematobium using the urine filtration method. Blood samples were examined for malaria parasites and haemoglobin concentrations using the Giemsa stain and Haemoque methods, respectively.Principal FindingsOut of 1,546 children examined, 1,079 (69.8%) were infected with one or more parasites. Malaria-helminth co-infections were observed in 276 children (60% of all children with P. falciparum infection). Malaria parasites were significantly more prevalent in hookworm infected children than in hookworm free children (p = 0.046). However, this association was non-significant on multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR = 1.320, p = 0.064). Malaria parasite density decreased with increasing infection intensity of S. mansoni and with increasing number of co-infecting helminth species. Anaemia prevalence was 34.4% and was significantly associated with malaria infection, S. haematobium infection and with multiple parasite infections. Whereas S. mansoni infection was a significant predictor of malaria parasite density, P. falciparum and S. haematobium infections were significant predictors of anaemia.Conclusions/SignificanceThese findings suggest that multiple parasite infections are common in school and pre-school children in Magu district. Concurrent P. falciparum, S. mansoni and S. haematobium infections increase the risk of lower Hb levels and anaemia, which in turn calls for integrated disease control interventions. The associations between malaria and helminth infections detected in this study need further investigation.

Schistosoma mansoni Infections, Undernutrition and Anaemia among Primary Schoolchildren in Two Onshore Villages in Rorya District, North-Western Tanzania

“…This reported prevalence is higher compared to what has been reported in the nearby district of Sengerema (19.5%) but lower to what was reported in Kilosa district, Central Tanzania (43.4%) [45,46]. This observed difference could be due to differences in the age of study participants, climatic conditions of the study areas which may affect food security as already reported [37] and the difference in the prevalence of malaria which is known to greatly impact on haemoglobin levels [47]. In the current study, anaemia was most prevalent among schoolchildren in the village with low S .…”

Intestinal Schistosomiasis among Primary Schoolchildren in Two On-Shore Communities in Rorya District, Northwestern Tanzania: Prevalence, Intensity of Infection and Associated Risk Factors

“…Efforts have been made to document the distribution of Schistosomiasis mansoni in different parts of Tanzania [16, 24–26]. However there are still many areas whose prevalence and intensities of infection are yet to be documented.…”

Schistosoma mansoni Infection Along the Coast of Lake Victoria in Mwanza Region, Tanzania

“…The prevalence and GM intensity of S. mansoni based on the Kato-Katz technique on two stool samples were 39.7% and 50.7 epg, respectively. 9 Although the study from 2001 seems to have higher prevalence than this study, the most comparable study is the study from 2006, which have slightly lower prevalence and intensity. Thus, the prevalence and intensity in the area seems not to have decreased at least during the last 8 years.…”

“…The slides were transported to the National Institute for Medical Research in Mwanza and examined for S. mansoni eggs. Infections with soil-transmitted helminths were not investigated as Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura have been recorded to be seldom present 8,9 and because eggs of hookworms were not visible because of the time span between preparation and reading.…”