ABSTRACT
An estimated 2 million children die of malaria yearly, primarily because of Plasmodium falciparum and its complications. Plasmodium falciparum infection could lead to imbalance in micronutrient levels. Micronutrients such as zinc and copper are essential for immune functions. In this study, we determined the baseline serum zinc and copper levels of children with or without malaria in Jos, Nigeria. This is essential because its result will give us a proper insight whether there is a need for a further study on zinc supplementation in these patients or not. Study Design: This was an analytical case-control study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted between August and November 2011 in various hospitals in Jos, North Central Nigeria. Methodology: The blood samples of 600 children aged zero to18 years from various hospitals in Jos were analyzed for malaria parasite (MP), zinc, copper, albumin and total protein. All statistical analysis were done using SPSS version 17. The results were expressed as means, standard deviation and percentages. Result: Out of 600 children, 306(51%) had malaria infection. Three hundred and thirteen (52.2%) were females. The overall prevalence of malaria was 51% while that of congenital and neonatal malaria were 2.0% and 1.5% respectively There was no significant difference in the serum zinc and copper levels of children with or without malaria (p=0.404 and p=0.559). Serum zinc and copper levels were significantly higher in males (p=0.001). There was a significant positive relationship between parasite density and serum zinc and copper levels (p=000). Serum zinc, copper levels and temperature were not predictors of malaria. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the serum zinc and copper levels of children with or without malaria. This implies that there may not be need to supplement children with malaria with zinc or copper, as this may not be necessary in solving the menace of malaria morbidity.
ABSTRACT
Background: In Nigeria, malaria is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in children. Nigeria government has put in efforts on malaria control and prevention. This is in consonance with Roll back malaria initiative’s objectives. Thus, with the expiration of RBM 2010 target deadline for malaria, there is a need to assess the prevalence of malaria among the risk group in this malaria endemic area, to ascertain how far we have gone in achieving the initiatives objectives. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria among children. Method: This is a hospital based cross- sectional study of 600 children with or without malaria attending various health care centers in the urban area of Jos, North central Nigeria. Giemsa stained thick and thin blood films were examined for malaria parasite using x 100 (oil immersion) objective. Result: Six hundred children with or without malaria were recruited for the study, in which 287 (47.8%) were boys. Based on microscopical diagnosis of malaria, 306 (51.00%) of the children had malaria parasitaemia. 48.06% prevalence rate was obtained among febrile under-5 children. One hundred and twenty-one (20.17%, 121/600) of the children had fever out of which 103 (85.12%, 103/121) had fever and the remaining had no fever. The geometric mean of the parasites was 385.85 parasites/ul and 20 (6.53%) of the children with malaria parasitaemia had parasite density> 500 parasites/μl. Malaria parasitaemia was relatively higher in children aged 5-9 years. Conclusion: There is still a high prevalence of hospital-based malaria among children aged 1-day to18 years in the urban areas of Jos, north central Nigeria. Consequently, there is a need to intensify effort on malaria treatment, control and prevention in these areas.