Some Haematological Parameters among Urinary Schistosomiasis-Malaria Coinfected Children in Suburb of Malentouen Health District, West Region Cameroon

Abstract

<jats:p>Background: Schistosomiasis and Malaria are among the most prevalent afflictions of humans who live in areas of poverty in the developing world. The present study was aimed at determining the socio demographic characteristics and prevalence of schistosomiasis and malaria in children living in Suburb of Malentouen Health District and analyzing the effect of co-infection on haemoglobin level, mean corpuscular volume and platelet count.&#x0D; Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to parents or guardians of children attending public primary school in the area. A total of 429 pupils aged 6-15 years old were screened for urinary schistosomiasis and 228 out of the 429 were tested for. Prevalences of the two parasites were calculated; Haemoglobin level, Mean Corpuscular Volume and platelets count of the 228 participants were recorded.&#x0D; Results: The prevalence of malaria was 26.75%, where as that of schistosomiasis was 43.82%. 31(13.60%) of the participants were co-infected with the two parasites. Mean haemoglobin level obtained was 11.01± 1.19 G/dL, that of MCV was 84.50±5.31/fl and the mean platelet count was 255.13±96.99/µl. In malaria single infected and co-infected participants, low haemoglobin level (c2 = 50.315, p = .000), low MCV (c2 = 27.448, p = .000) and low platelets count (c2 = 37.253, p = .000) were observed with significant variations.&#x0D; Conclusions: The three haematological parameters analysed in this study (Hb, MCV, Platelets count), showed low level or amount in malaria and malaria-schistosomiasis infected participants. Moreover, thrombocytopenia in children in this endemic area may be useful as supportive diagnostic criteria for malaria in case with low level of parasite number.</jats:p>

Confounding influences of malnutrition and Plasmodium falciparum and Schistosoma haematobium infections on haematological parameters in school children in Muyuka, Cameroon

“…The prevalence of Plasmodium (24.4%) is lower than the 33.9% observed in a simultaneous study in SAC in non-schistosomiasis endemic area within the same Muyuka Health District [ 30 ]. These findings are, however, comparable with a 26.8 and 27.4% prevalence observed in similar populations in schistosomiasis endemic areas in the West Region of Cameroon [ 31 ] and North-western Tanzania, respectively [ 32 ]. While the decrease in the prevalence of infection in this cohort of children may be attributed to LLINs use and its community benefit, although SAC have a propensity to use LLINs less frequently, its use remains an effective method of malaria control [ 4 , 7 ].…”

Plasmodium and Schistosoma haematobium infections as well as haematological parameters in school-aged children in Muyuka-Cameroon: a cross-sectional study on the influence of nutritional status

“…The prevalence of Plasmodium (24.4%) is lower than the 33.9% observed in a simultaneous study in SAC in non-schistosomiasis endemic area within the same Muyuka Health District [30]. These ndings are, however, comparable with a 26.8% and 27.4% prevalence observed in similar populations in schistosomiasis endemic areas in the West Region of Cameroon [31] and North western Tanzania respectively [32]. While the decrease in the prevalence of infection in this cohort of children may be attributed to longlasting insecticide treated bed net use and its community bene t, although SAC have a propensity to use insecticide treated bed nets less frequently, it's use remains an effective method of malaria control [4,7].…”

Polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium, Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminths in school-aged children in Muyuka–Cameroon following implementation of control measures: a cross sectional study

“…This may be attributed to the significant decline in STH infections in the Mount Cameroon area following the school-based deworming (SBDW) strategy with mebendazole adapted by Cameroon in 2004 and has been implemented annually since 2007 in both enrolled and unenrolled children [ 44 , 45 ]. This S. haematobium and P. falciparum co-infection is of public health importance as the prevalence is higher than the 0.9% observed in Accra Ghana [ 46 ], comparable to the 9.0% in Gabon [ 47 ], lower than 10.9% and 13.6% reported in Mvomero-Tanzania and West Region of Cameroon respectively [ 48 , 49 ] and within the 2.84% to 57.1% range reported in Africa [ 16 , 50 , 51 ].…”