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Background. Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease known to cause significant numbers of morbidities and mortalities across the globe. In Ethiopia, its transmission is generally seasonal and highly unstable due to variations in topography and rainfall patterns. Studying the trends in malaria in different setups is crucial for area-specific evidence-based interventions, informed decisions, and to track the effectiveness of malaria control programs. The trend in malaria infections in the area has not been documented. Hence, this study aimed to assess the five-year trend in microscopically confirmed malaria cases in Dembecha Health Center, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara national regional state, Ethiopia. Methods. A health facility-based retrospective study was conducted in Dembecha Health Center from February to April 2018. All microscopically confirmed malaria cases registered between 2011/12 and 2015/16 were carefully reviewed from laboratory record books and analyzed accordingly. Results. A total of 12,766 blood films were requested over the last five years at Dembecha Health Center. The number of microscopically confirmed malaria cases was 2086 (16.34%). The result showed a fluctuating yet declining trend in malaria infections. The highest number of cases was registered in 2012/13, while the lowest was in 2015/16. Males and age groups >20 constituted 58.9% and 44.2% of the patients, respectively, being the hardest hit by malaria in the area. Malaria existed in almost every month and seasons. Plasmodium falciparum was the predominant species. The highest peak of malaria infections was observed in the late transition (October-December) 799 (38.3%) and early transition (May-June) 589 (28.2%) seasons. Conclusion. Although the results indicate a fluctuating yet declining trend, the prevalence of confirmed malaria cases in the area remains alarming and indicates a major public health burden. Therefore, close monitoring and intervention measures to control malaria infections in the area and also to tackle the dominant species, Plasmodium falciparum, are necessitated accordingly.

Background Intestinal parasitosis is a common disease that causes misery and disability in poor populations. The number of individuals affected is staggering. From two billion peoples who harbor parasites worldwide, 300 million suffer severe morbidity and more than 25% of pregnant women are infected with hookworm, which causes intestinal bleeding and blood loss, and has been most commonly associated with anemia. Intestinal parasite infection during pregnancy has been associated with iron deficiency, maternal anemia, and impaired nutritional status, as well as decreased infant birth weight. Objective This study aimed to assess the effects of intestinal parasite infection on hematological profiles of pregnant women attending antenatal care in Debre Markos Referral Hospital from December 2017 to February 2019. Method A prospective cohort study design was conducted among 94 intestinal parasite-infected pregnant women as an exposed group and 187 pregnant women free from intestinal parasite were used as a control group. The effect of intestinal parasites on hematological profiles of pregnant women was assessed at Debre Markos Referral Hospital antenatal care ward. Socio-demographic data and nutrition status were assessed by using structured questionnaires and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), respectively. Two ml of venous blood and 2 gm of stool samples were collected to analyze the hematological profiles and detect intestinal parasites, respectively. Wet mount and formol-ether concentration (FEC) techniques were used to detect intestinal parasites. Hematological profile was analyzed using Mind ray BC-3000 plus instrument. Data were double entered into EpiData version 3.1 software and exported to SPSS version 24 software for analysis. Results were presented using tables and graphs. Associations of hemoglobin levels with intestinal parasitic infections were determined using binary logistic regression models. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean hematological profile difference between parasite-infected and parasite-free pregnant women was computed using independent t-test. Results In the present study, the predominant parasites identified were Entamoeba histolytica, hookworm, Giardia lamblia, Schistosoma mansoni, and Ascaris lumbricoides. About 8.2% of intestinal parasite-infected pregnant women had mild anemia while 4% had moderate anemia. Only 1.2% of intestinal parasite-free pregnant women developed moderate anemia. The mean HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, and MCHC values of intestinal parasite-infected pregnant women were 12.8g/dl, 38.2%, 94.7fl, 33.1pg and 34.7g/dl, respectively. But the mean HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH and MCHC values of pregnant women who were free from intestinal parasites were 14.4 g/dl, 39.8%, 94.9fl, 33.9pg and 35.5g/dl, respectively. Anemia was strongly associated with hookworm (AOR = 21.29, 95%CI: 8.28–54.75, P<0.001), S.mansoni (AOR = 63.73, 95% CI: 19.15–212, P<0.001) and A.lumbricoide (AOR = 14.12, 95% CI 3.28–60.65, P<0.001). Conclusion Intestinal parasitic infection in pregnant women caused adverse impact on hematological profiles and was an independent predictor of anemia. Intestinal parasitic infection significantly decreased pregnant the level of HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, and MCHC values. To minimize maternal anemia deworming could be good before pregnancy.

Background Anemia, the most common micro-nutrient deficiency disorder, is the world’s second leading cause of morbidity and morbidity, affecting 24.8% of the population, of which 47.4% are under-five children. The prevalence of anemia ranges from 44 to 56% in Ethiopia. Although its magnitude has shown decreases across regions; it continues to be a significant public health problem, particularly in developing countries including Ethiopia. Despite this evidence, the magnitude and associated factors of anemia was not systematically explored and there is a limited information or limited evidences in the study area. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and associated factors of anemia among children aged 6–59 months attending at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Debre Markos referral hospital Northwest Ethiopia from September 30 to December 30, 2019. Data on socio-demographic and socio-economic factors, health and nutritional features of children and their mothers were obtained using pre-tested structured questionnaires in a face-to-face interview with child care providers. Blood samples and stool examination for intestinal parasites were performed. Hemoglobin level was analyzed using the HemoCue device (HemoCueHb 301). The collected data were coded, cleared and entered into Epi-Data version 3.1, and analyzed using Stata version 14 software. To identify candidates and predictor variables, bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were applied respectively. The significance level was determined at a confidence interval of 95% at p-value < 0.05. Results Of the total of 341 participants planned to be participated, about 310 mother-child pairs participated in the study, giving a response rate of 91%; and data were collected from children as well as their parents or guardians. In this study, the magnitude of anemia was 11.9% (95% CI, 8.5, 16.2%). Poor dietary diversity (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.12, 5.14), food-insecure households (AOR = 3.24; 95% CI: 1.85, 4.52), complementary feeding initiation time (AOR = 3.20; 95% CI:1.23, 6.61), intestinal parasites infection (AOR = 3.20; 95% CI:1.23, 6.61) and family income (AOR = 2.87; 95% CI:1.57, 5.0) were found to be factors significantly associated with anemia. Conclusion Overall, anemia is considered a public health problem among children aged 6–59 months attending at Debre Markos referral hospital, based on the cut-off point of the World Health Organization. Poor dietary diversity, complementary feeding initiation time, household food insecurity, intestinal parasite infection and family income were significantly associated with childhood anemia. Thus, it needs for proven interventions in public health such as food diversification, anti-helmintic drug provision and household food security. In addition, educating women about nutrition and diet diversification, as well as involving them in alternative sources of income-generating activity, can be vital in the study area.

Background Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to the World Health Organization 2021 malaria report, it is considered to be endemic in 85 countries and territories. Malaria elimination programmes have also faced many challenges, such as widespread asymptomatic carriers in endemic regions, and they should be considered in malaria-control programmes in endemic areas for successful transmission interruption. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria infections, and associated factors in Debre Elias district communities, Northwest Ethiopia from May to Jun 2018. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among selected kebeles in Debre Elias district, Amhara region, North-western Ethiopia. Multi-stage sampling technique was carried out to select representative households. A total of 440 randomly selected households were included, of which one individual per household was sampled for laboratory examination. Malaria prevalence was determined by light microscopy of stained blood films and using CareStart™ Malaria HRP2/pLDH (Pf/Pv) Combo rapid diagnostic test (RDT). A structured questionnaire was employed to collect socio-demographic data and associated risk factors. Data entry and analysis were carried out using Epi data 3.1 and SPSS version 23 software, respectively. The association between dependent and independent variables was explored by using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Statistically significant association was declared at P-value of < 0.05. Results A total of 440 (333 asymptomatic and 107 symptomatic) individuals were included in this study. The overall prevalence of malaria was 5% with the majority (59.1%) of infections caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Among asymptomatic participants, 4.8% (n = 16, 95% CI = 2.6–7.3) and 4.2% (n = 14, 95% CI = 2.1–6.5) were diagnosed and confirmed by RDT and light microscopy respectively. Similarly, the prevalence of malaria among 107 symptomatic individuals was 7.5% (n = 8, 95% CI = 2.8–12.6) by either RDT or light microscopy. Utilization of insecticide-treated net (ITN), availability of ITN, house with eave, previous history of malaria infection, and family history of malaria infection were significantly associated with malaria infection (P < 0.05). Conclusion In this study, the prevalence of asymptomatic and symptomatic malaria was moderate. Screening of both symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria in the community is very important to scale up intervention programmes.