High prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Makenene, a locality in the forest-savannah transition zone, Centre Region of Cameroon

Djoufounna, Joel; Mayi, Marie Paul Audrey; Bamou, Roland; Foyet, Juluis Visnel; Tabue, Raymond; Lontsi-Demano, Michel; Achu-Fosah, Dorothy; Antonio-Nkondjio, Christophe; Tchuinkam, Timoléon

doi:10.1016/j.crpvbd.2022.100104

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…However, it is lower than that of a study conducted in Tanzania (18%) [21]. The trend in parasite density in our study (geometric mean and range) are consistent with data from a community-based study in Cameroon, although carried out in children under 15 years of age [31].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

High prevalence of Plasmodium spp infections in Bangui, Central African Republic

Nzoumbou-Boko,

Nalingbo,

Yambiyo

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background Malaria is a major public health problem in the Central African Republic (CAR), despite the massive scale-up of control interventions. Community-based malaria is still not documented across CAR, although 100 % of its population is at risk of malaria and CAR is the 5th most affected country in Africa in terms of incidence. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of malaria parasite infections in Bangui from August to September 2022. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken in Bangui, the capital of CAR. Sociodemographic data and venous blood samples were collected from each study participant. Positivity for malaria parasites was determined using malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT), thick blood smear microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Results A total of 638 participants, mean age of 26.44 years (range 1 to 75 years) and a sex ratio (M/F) of 1.22, were tested for malaria parasites using all three detection methods. The overall prevalence of Plasmodium spp. was 32.45% (95% CI 31.29 -33.61%) by PCR, 27.59% (95% CI 25.75% – 30.35%) by mRDT and 23.51% (95% CI 20.64% - 24.82%) by Giemsa-based thick blood smear microscopy. Malaria was more common in people aged 15 to 49 years, and a microspatial heterogeneity in positivity rates was observed, with the majority of cases occurring in semi-urban areas by mRDT and microscopy respectivelly. Approximately 80% of microscopy-positive subjects had a low parasite density (<1000 parasites/µl whole blood). Although P. falciparum was the most common species (98.55%), the transmission of P. ovale appears to be well established in the area, occurring either as mono-infection (1.45%) or coinfection (1.93%) with P. falciparum. In addition, a 9.56% prevalence of submicroscopic infections was observed. Conclusions This first study of community malaria in Bangui provides essential baseline data to guide future research on malaria parasites in the Central African Republic, particularly with regard to circulating parasite species. The high prevalence of community malaria demonstrates the persistence of malaria as a major public health challenge in the country, highlighting the need to intensify ongoing control efforts.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

High prevalence of Plasmodium spp infections in Bangui, Central African Republic

Nzoumbou-Boko,

Nalingbo,

Yambiyo

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…In the same light, the WHO recommends that a single dose of 0.25 mg/kg primaquine in combination with ACT administered to patients with P. falciparum malaria is safe and effective in reducing transmission without requiring to test for G6PD deficiency [ 56 ]. Generally, several studies have been conducted on asymptomatic malaria in Cameroon [ 48 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 ] but there are no special programs to target the mass treatment of asymptomatic Plasmodium reservoirs through which awareness on the severity of asymptomatic malaria and need for treatment could be raised among health care providers and in the population. Studies reveal that asymptomatic reservoirs can be eliminated in mass treatment programs [ 64 , 65 ], and various mass treatment strategies such as mass drug administration (MDA) have been proposed and proven to rapidly reduce malaria burdens, particularly in regions with seasonal malaria transmission, such as those in Africa and in China [ 64 , 65 , 66 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge about Asymptomatic Malaria and Acceptability of Using Artemisia afra Tea among Health Care Workers (HCWs) in Yaoundé, Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Suh Nchang,

Shinyuy,

Noukimi

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Malaria is the most widespread endemic disease in Cameroon, and asymptomatic Plasmodium (gametocyte) carriers (APCs) constitute more than 95% of infectious human reservoirs in malaria endemic settings. This study assesses the knowledge of asymptomatic malaria (ASM) among health care workers (HCWs) in health facilities (HFs) in the Centre Region of Cameroon and the acceptability of using Artemisia afra tea to treat APCs. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 100 HCWs, in four randomly selected HFs in the Centre Region, in the period of 1–20 April 2022, using semi-structured self-administered questionnaires. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with knowledge. More than seven in eight (88%) respondents were aware of the existence of ASM, 83% defined ASM correctly, 75% knew how it was diagnosed, 70% prescribe ACTs for APCs, and 51.1% were informed about ASM transmission. The professional category of HCWs was significantly associated with their knowledge of the existence and transmission of ASM, and longevity of service was associated with knowledge of transmission (p < 0.05). Two-thirds (67%) of respondents knew about Artemisia afra tea, 53.7% believed that it was effective in treating ASM, and 79% were willing to prescribe it if authorized. There was a fair level of knowledge of ASM among HCWs in the study settings.

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“…Although some studies have indicated that the prevalence of malaria in children is more predominant in boys than in women, and that this disparity may result from gender roles in the division of labor, hormonal factors or host genetics [14], a univariate analysis of the prevalence of malaria carriage according to gender in the present study showed no statistically significant association between the different variables. This could be explained by the fact that in endemic areas such as Gabon, the malaria parasite infects both men and women, despite differences in their sleeping behavior, use of mosquito nets and habitat characteristics [15]. .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This could be explained by the fact that, in areas of local malaria transmission, increasing age, which means repeated exposure to bites from infectious mosquitoes carrying malaria parasites, is positively associated with protective immunity against clinical signs of malaria [18]. Similarly, a study found that poverty, particularly in rural areas where poorquality housing (holes in walls, openings in ceilings, surrounding vegetation and mosquito breeding sites) was a favorable environment for malaria [19], A univariate analysis of the prevalence of malaria carriage by locality showed that participants from the villages of Mvengué, Djoutou and Mouyabi were significantly associated with asymptomatic malaria carriage in the present study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carrying Asymptomatic Malaria In Ouéllé Locality, And Surrounding Villages, In Southeastern Gabon: An Epidemiological Analysis, In Rural Central Africa

Nzamba,

Favret,

Bobey Ngoulou

et al. 2023

IJPSAT

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Background: Malaria remains a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, and particularly in Gabon. In an epidemiological analysis in a rural area, the present study assessed asymptomatic malaria carriage in Ouéllé, and surrounding villages, in South-eastern Gabon: an epidemiological analysis, in a rural area of central Africa. Patients and method: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from June 26 to 28, 2023. The sociodemographic characteristics of the participants were obtained. A small portion of blood collected by finger prick from each participant was used for qualitative detection of malaria-causing Plasmodium infection, using a Malaria Test MeriScreenTM Pf/PAN Ag lateral flow immunochromatographic assay. Results of analysis by R software version 4.0.3, were considered significant at p≤0.05.Results: Of the 321 people registered for the present study, 97 (30.22%) (95% CI: 0.25 - 0.36) (n=97), tested positive for malaria, compared with 224 (69.78%) ((95% CI: 0.64 - 0.75) (n=224). While a univariate analysis of the prevalence of malaria carriage according to gender showed no statistically significant association between the variables p=0.56, a univariate analysis of the prevalence of malaria carriage according to age group indicated that only participants aged between 28 and 57 (OR =0.17; 95% CI: [0.04 - 0.73] p=0. 007*), and according to each locality, the analysis showed that participants from Mvengué (OR =0.17; CI 95% : [0.04 - 0.73] p=0.007*), Djoutou (OR =0.17; CI 95% : [0.04 - 0.73] p=0. 007*), and Mouyabi (OR =0.17; 95% CI: [0.04 - 0.73] p=0.007*), were statistically susceptible to malaria were significantly associated with malaria carriage in the present study.Conclusion: These results, which indicate the persistence of asymptomatic malaria in Ouéllé and surrounding villages, call on Gabon's health authorities to redouble their efforts to combat malaria throughout the country.

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High prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Makenene, a locality in the forest-savannah transition zone, Centre Region of Cameroon

Cited by 7 publications

References 43 publications

High prevalence of Plasmodium spp infections in Bangui, Central African Republic

High prevalence of Plasmodium spp infections in Bangui, Central African Republic

Knowledge about Asymptomatic Malaria and Acceptability of Using Artemisia afra Tea among Health Care Workers (HCWs) in Yaoundé, Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Carrying Asymptomatic Malaria In Ouéllé Locality, And Surrounding Villages, In Southeastern Gabon: An Epidemiological Analysis, In Rural Central Africa

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