Malaria, which is responsible for a substantial amount of deaths in endemic countries, has been shown to have both direct and indirect effects on the hematological parameters. Notwithstanding, some hematological parameters among populations living in malaria endemic regions have not been described consistently, as a standard for measuring malaria burden. Based on the above fact, this study was designed to assess some hematological changes and their diagnostic values in malaria infected patients. A total of 160 malaria positive adult patients, together with 81 healthy control adults were recruited for the study. For the malaria positive group, the female to male ratio was 1.38 : 1. Specifically, 74.38%, 10.00%, and 15.62% of those in the malaria positive group had mild, moderate, and severe parasitaemia, respectively. Leukemia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were found to be significantly associated with malaria and were all estimated to be specific for the diagnosis of malaria. Anemia was, however, estimated to be both sensitive and specific for malaria diagnosis. Therefore, anemia offers the most diagnostic value in the malaria infected patients of this study.

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Background Although a significant decrease in entomological and epidemiological indicators was reported in Cameroon since the introduction of insecticide-treated bed nets, malaria prevalence remains high also in some parts of the West Region of Cameroon. This study was designed to evaluate malaria preventive measures among patients attending the Bamendjou and Foumbot District hospitals of the West Region of Cameroon. Methods This was a cross-sectional study carried out within a period of 3 months, from January to March 2020. Data was obtained using a structured questionnaire and laboratory analysis. The CareStart™ Pf Malaria HRP2 qualitative rapid diagnostic test was used for malaria diagnosis. The questionnaire was designed to collect information on respondent’s socio-demographic characteristics, and the use of malaria preventive measures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and Chi-square (and Fisher’s exact) test. Results A total of 170 study participants were recruited in Foumbot and 197 in Bamendjou. Malaria was significantly (P < 0.0001) more prevalent in Foumbot (47.06%) than in Bamendjou (19.8%). In Foumbot, non-use of insect repellent spray (P = 0.0214), insect repellent body cream (P = 0.0009), mosquito spray (P = 0.0001) and not draining stagnant water (P = 0.0004) predisposed to higher risk of malaria. In Bamendjou, non-use of insect repellent spray (P = 0.0012), long-lasting insecticidal bed nets (P = 0.0001), window and door nets (P = 0.0286), predisposed to a higher risk of malaria. Conclusions Malaria prevalence was high among the study participants especially in Foumbot. An adequate follow-up to ensure effective execution of the recently launched third phase of LLINs distribution campaign in Cameroon is recommended. Additionally, integrated vector management is required to ensure effective control of malaria transmission in Foumbot and Bamendjou.

The widespread impacts of malaria in the tropical regions of the developing world are not only on healthcare issues but also an agricultural output. Malaria causes manpower loss when it strikes farmers at critical planting, weeding, and harvesting times. Given the above, the expected outcome to malaria prevention programs in farming communities remains a far cry, especially where the predisposing factors are not properly identified and long-lasting solutions proffered. Consequently, this study was designed to assess the malaria predisposing factors among the crop production farmers attending the Ndop District Hospital. The microscopy method was used to determine the presence of malaria parasitaemia. The following categorical variables were considered predisposing factors: Sex, history on malaria illness/treatment, use of long-lasting insecticide nets (LLINs) and knowledge on malaria transmission/prevention. A four-point Likert-type rating scale was adopted for the scoring of the responses given on the predisposing factors, while Fisher’s exact test was used to assess the associations between malaria and each of the predisposing factors. The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among the crop production farmers was 20% (143/715). The predisposing factors tested were found to be significantly associated to the occurrence of malaria among the crop production farmers. Therefore, the combination of improved existing and innovative malaria control strategies may possibly ensure sustained malaria decrease among the farmers in the Ndop Health District.

BackgroundAlthough a significant decrease in entomological and epidemiological indicators was reported in Cameroon since the introduction of insecticide-treated bed nets, malaria prevalence remains high also in some parts of the West Region of Cameroon. This study was designed to evaluate malaria preventive measures among patients attending the Bamendjou and Foumbot District hospitals of the West Region of Cameroon. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study carried out within a period of three months, from January to March 2020. Data was obtained using a structured questionnaire and laboratory analysis. The CareStart™ Pf Malaria HRP2 qualitative rapid diagnostic test was used for malaria diagnosis. The questionnaire was designed to collect information on respondent’s socio-demographic characteristics, and the use of malaria preventive measures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and Chi-square (and Fisher’s exact) test. ResultsA total of 170 study participants were recruited in Foumbot and 197 in Bamendjou. Malaria was significantly (P < 0.0001) more prevalent in Foumbot (47.06%) than in Bamendjou (19.8%). In Foumbot, non-use of insect repellent spray (P = 0.0214), insect repellent body cream (P = 0.0009), mosquito spray (P = 0.0001) and not draining stagnant water (P = 0.0004) predisposed to higher risk of malaria. In Bamendjou, non-use of insect repellent spray (P = 0.0012), long-lasting insecticidal bed nets (P = 0.0001), window and door nets (P = 0.0286), predisposed to a higher risk of malaria. ConclusionsMalaria prevalence was high among the study participants especially in Foumbot. An adequate follow-up to ensure effective execution of the recently launched third phase of LLINs distribution campaign in Cameroon is recommended. Additionally, integrated vector management is required to ensure effective control of malaria transmission in Foumbot and Bamendjou.