[Aspects of malaria in a village of the humid savannah of the Ivory Coast]. / Aspects du paludisme dans un village de savane humide de Cote d'Ivoire.

ABSTRACT

Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Ivory Coast. This fact justifies further epidemiological investigations to define regional features and allow implementation of the most suitable control measures. To this end, a study focusing on transmission of malaria was conducted between January and May 1993 concurrently with malarial parasite identification in Allokoukro, a village in the humid savannah in the central region of Ivory Coast. Two vectors of malaria were found in the village, i.e. Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestus. These two species accounted for 53.7% of Culicides captured during the study with important monthly variations depending on rainfall. Anopheles gambiae s.l. accounted for 92.2% of the anopheles captured and thus was the main vector identified in the village. As a result of its persistence and high density, this species ensured uninterrupted transmission of malaria. Anopheles funestus was scarce and thus played a limited role in infection at the beginning of the rainy season. Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium malariae were the main parasite species identified in the population of the village. The incidence of malarial infection was high in children between the ages of 0 and 14 years. Plasmodium indices stood at 45.5% in March and 82.2% in May. The prevalence of malarial infection in may was associated with an increase in mean serum parasite levels in children. Clinical studies showed that malaria motivated 64.4% of consultations during the rainy season and was one of the mean causes of morbidity in particular among children.