Co-infection of malaria and anemia in children attending a tertiary health facility in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria
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Date
2025-03-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Federal University, Dutse
Abstract
Malaria and anemia in children continue to pose significant public health challenges. This study aimed
to assess the effect of malaria on anemia and to identify co-infection rates among children visiting the
General Hospital in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. Two hundred and eighty blood samples
were obtained from outpatients aged 0 to 12 years and were screened for malaria using both thick and
thin blood films, which were examined microscopically. The anemia status was assessed by measuring
the Packed Cell Volume (PCV). Out of the 280 samples tested, 137 (48.9%) tested positive for malaria,
with a higher prevalence noted in females (57.8%) compared to males (46.0%). The age group of 0-3
years showed the highest infection rate (73.1%), while the lowest was observed in the 10-12 year age
group. There was a noticeable trend of decreasing infection rates as age increased. Regarding anemia,
an overall infection ratio of 43.2% was recorded. The patterns of malaria infection were similar for both
gender and age. A significant number of cases (91.2%) showed co-infection for both malaria and
anaemia. Malaria continues to be a prevalent infection among children in the region studied and significantly contributes to anaemia in this population. There is a pressing need for public education and the promotion of preventive measures, such as the use of insecticide-treated bed nets, particularly
among mothers and caregivers.
Description
Keywords
Anaemia, children, Ilorin, Outpatients
Citation
coinfection, malaria, anemia, children