PAN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES
e-ISSN: 2672-5924
Volume 8, No. 3, December 2024
Pages 243-249
DOI: 10.36108/pajols/4202/80.0340
High Asymptomatic Malaria in Children Residing in Malaria Hotspots in Lagos State, Nigeria
Chimere O. Agomo1, Oluwagbemiga O. Aina2, Damilare Bamgbose2, Uche T. Igbasi3, Celestina O. Okoyenta2, Babajide S. Bamiro4, Akwaowo B. Orok2, Chinedum T. Oparaugo2, Samuel Akindele2, Nnen-na Ogbulafor5.
1Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine of University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
2Malaria Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
3Center for Infectious Disease Research, Department of Microbiology, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
4Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine of University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
5Case Management Unit, National Malaria Elimination Programme, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Wel-fare, Abuja, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Malaria prevalence varies within a geographic location due to vector, host, and environmental factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria in children in two communities near a large freshwater body in Lagos.
Methods: Children aged 12 years and below were recruited into this cross-sectional community study. A total of 339 chil-dren [Agbowa 185; Ikosi 154] were recruited into the study. There were more females 174(51.3%) than males 165 (48.7%). Malaria diagnosis was carried out by microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests. The level of haemogblobin was assessed using Haemocue HB 201® machine. The weight, height, and body temperature of the children were measured.
Results: Three hundred and thirty-seven (99.4%) children were afebrile. Malaria was mesoendemic in both sites based on the prevalence of malaria by microscopy in children aged 2-9 years (>10%). The risk of malaria infection was threefold higher in Ikosi than in Agbowa [OR= 2.96; 95% CI:1.68 – 5.22). Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria by microscopy and RDT (PfLDH and PfHRP2) in Agbowa were 11.4%, (95%CI: 7.6-16.8%), 13.0% (95% CI: 8.9-18.7%), and 21.7% (95% CI: 16.4-28.2%) respectively. In Ikosi, the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria by microscopy and RDT (PfLDH and PfHRP2) were 28.8% (95% CI: 22.2-36.4%), 37.3% (95% CI: 30.0-45.1%), and 56.2% (95% CI: 48.3-63.8%) respectively. Overall, chil-dren under five years were more likely to be anaemic than older children [OR=3.8; 95% CI: 2.2-6.6]. Also, children with high parasitaemia were more likely to have anaemia (OR=5.91; 95% CI: 1.20-29.23).
Conclusion: Asymptomatic malaria was higher in Ikosi, which is closer to Lagos Lagoon, than in Agbowa. The risk of anae-mia was associated with age and parasite density. Identification of malaria hotspots and treatment of asymptomatic children can fast-track malaria elimination in Lagos State.
Keywords: Asymptomatic malaria, hotspot, children, anaemia, Lagos.