Epidemiology of Malaria, Schistosomiasis, Geohelminths, Anemia and Malnutrition in the Context of a Demographic Surveillance System in Northern Angola

Abstract

BackgroundMalaria, schistosomiasis and geohelminth infection are linked to maternal and child morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Knowing the prevalence levels of these infections is vital to guide governments towards the implementation of successful and cost-effective disease control initiatives.Methodology/Principal FindingsA cross-sectional study of 1,237 preschool children (0–5 year olds), 1,142 school-aged children (6–15 year olds) and 960 women (>15 year olds) was conducted to understand the distribution of malnutrition, anemia, malaria, schistosomiasis (intestinal and urinary) and geohelminths in a north-western province of Angola. We used a recent demographic surveillance system (DSS) database to select and recruit suitable households. Malnutrition was common among children (23.3% under-weight, 9.9% wasting and 32.2% stunting), and anemia was found to be a severe public health problem (i.e., >40%). Malaria prevalence was highest among preschool children reaching 20.2%. Micro-hematuria prevalence levels reached 10.0% of preschool children, 16.6% of school-aged children and 21.7% of mothers. Geohelminth infections were common, affecting 22.3% of preschool children, 31.6% of school-aged children and 28.0% of mothers.ConclusionsHere we report prevalence levels of malaria, schistosomiasis and geohelminths; all endemic in this poorly described area where a DSS has been recently established. Furthermore we found evidence that the studied infections are associated with the observed levels of anemia and malnutrition, which can justify the implementation of integrated interventions for the control of these diseases and morbidities.

Intestinal Parasites and Nutritional Status in Children under 14 years of age at the Paediatric Hospital David Bernardino in Luanda, Angola

“…Moreover, the limited number of positive faecal samples detected in this group is insufficient to found a potential association between intestinal parasites and malnutrition. As reported by other authors [19,20,21,22] , intestinal parasites were normally distributed in both sexes and target especially children over 36 months since it is at this stage that children begin to have more direct contact with soil and generally take almost everything into the mouth. Concerning the sociodemographic status of these children, over 92.2% resided in the suburban areas of Luanda where the socioeconomic, educational and sanitary conditions of population are worse, (Fig.…”

“…Other techniques should be employed, especially faecal concentration methods recommended for intestinal parasites, in order to improve the parasitological diagnosis. [17,18] Considering the high prevalence of intestinal helminths in the country [19,20] , the results obtained in this study may not reflect the parasitological status of these children. Moreover, the limited number of positive faecal samples detected in this group is insufficient to found a potential association between intestinal parasites and malnutrition.…”

“…[17,18] . Atendendo à elevada prevalência de helmintoses intestinais no país [19,20] , os resultados obtidos neste estudo podem não refletir o estado parasitológico destas crianças. Apesar do número restrito de amostras fecais positivas, não parece haver, nesta amostra populacional, uma associação entre as parasitoses intestinais e a malnutrição.…”

“…Apesar do número restrito de amostras fecais positivas, não parece haver, nesta amostra populacional, uma associação entre as parasitoses intestinais e a malnutrição. Assim como outros autores também reportaram [19,20,21,22] , as parasitoses intestinais estavam distribuídas numa proporção equilibrada relativamente ao género, abrangendo sobretudo a faixa etária superior aos 36 meses, uma vez que é nesta fase do crescimento que as crianças começam a ter maior contacto com o solo nas suas atividades recreativas. Relativamente à distribuição geográfica das crianças, cerca de 92,2%, eram provenientes de zonas suburbanas de Luanda (Figura.…”

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Children from 0 to 14 Years Hospitalized at the Pediatric Hospital David Bernardino, Luanda, Angola

“…Another explanation is that these children already have very low Hb values prior to treatment. In a previous study done in Angola, the prevalence of anemia was higher than 40% [18]. Finally, some drugs are only capable of provoking crises in patients with the more severely deficient polymorphic variants, such as G6PD Mediterranean, but not in the mild variant G6PD A- [9].…”