Increase in malaria prevalence and age of at risk population in different areas of Gabon

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Following the deployment of new recommendations for malaria control according to the World Health Organization, an estimation of the real burden of the disease is needed to better identify populations at risk and to adapt control str...

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Main Authors: Mawili-Mboumba Denise P, Akotet Marielle K Bouyou, Kendjo Eric, Nzamba Joseph, Medang Mathieu Owono, Mbina Jean-Romain Mourou, Kombila Maryvonne
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2013-01-01
Series:Malaria Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.malariajournal.com/content/12/1/3
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author Mawili-Mboumba Denise P
Akotet Marielle K Bouyou
Kendjo Eric
Nzamba Joseph
Medang Mathieu Owono
Mbina Jean-Romain Mourou
Kombila Maryvonne
author_facet Mawili-Mboumba Denise P
Akotet Marielle K Bouyou
Kendjo Eric
Nzamba Joseph
Medang Mathieu Owono
Mbina Jean-Romain Mourou
Kombila Maryvonne
author_sort Mawili-Mboumba Denise P
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Following the deployment of new recommendations for malaria control according to the World Health Organization, an estimation of the real burden of the disease is needed to better identify populations at risk and to adapt control strategies. The aim of the present study was to estimate the clinical burden of malaria among febrile children aged less than 11 years, before and after six-year of deployment of malaria control strategies in different areas of Gabon.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cross-sectional surveys were carried out in health care facilities at four locations: two urban areas (Libreville and Port-Gentil), one semi-urban area (Melen) and one rural area (Oyem), between 2005 and 2011. Febrile paediatric patients, aged less than 11 years old were screened for malaria using microscopy. Body temperature, history of fever, age, sex, and location were collected.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 16,831 febrile children were enrolled; 78.5% (n=13,212) were less than five years old. The rate of <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>-infection was the lowest in Port-gentil (below 10%) and the highest at Oyem (above 35%). Between 2005 and 2008, malaria prevalence dropped significantly from 31.2% to 18.3%, followed by an increase in 2011 in Libreville (24.1%), Port-Gentil (6.5%) and Oyem (44.2%) (<it>p</it><0.01). Median age among the infected patients increased throughout the study period reaching 84 (60–108) months in Libreville in 2011 (<it>p</it><0.01). From 2008, at all sites, children older than five years were more frequently infected; the risk of being infected significantly increased with time, ranging from 0.37 to 1.50 in 2005 and from 2.03 to 5.10 in 2011 in this group (<it>p<</it>0.01). The risk of being <it>P. falciparum</it>-infected in children aged less than five years old significantly decreased from 2008 to 2011 (<it>p</it><0.01).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study shows an increased risk of malaria infection in different areas of Gabon with over-five year-old children tending to become the most at-risk population, suggesting a changing epidemiology. Moreover, the heterogeneity of the malaria burden in the country highlights the importance of maintaining various malaria control strategies and redefining their implementation.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-6d57b6cae8a944039a1d41b74d2bb5892022-12-22T03:06:38ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752013-01-01121310.1186/1475-2875-12-3Increase in malaria prevalence and age of at risk population in different areas of GabonMawili-Mboumba Denise PAkotet Marielle K BouyouKendjo EricNzamba JosephMedang Mathieu OwonoMbina Jean-Romain MourouKombila Maryvonne<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Following the deployment of new recommendations for malaria control according to the World Health Organization, an estimation of the real burden of the disease is needed to better identify populations at risk and to adapt control strategies. The aim of the present study was to estimate the clinical burden of malaria among febrile children aged less than 11 years, before and after six-year of deployment of malaria control strategies in different areas of Gabon.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cross-sectional surveys were carried out in health care facilities at four locations: two urban areas (Libreville and Port-Gentil), one semi-urban area (Melen) and one rural area (Oyem), between 2005 and 2011. Febrile paediatric patients, aged less than 11 years old were screened for malaria using microscopy. Body temperature, history of fever, age, sex, and location were collected.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 16,831 febrile children were enrolled; 78.5% (n=13,212) were less than five years old. The rate of <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>-infection was the lowest in Port-gentil (below 10%) and the highest at Oyem (above 35%). Between 2005 and 2008, malaria prevalence dropped significantly from 31.2% to 18.3%, followed by an increase in 2011 in Libreville (24.1%), Port-Gentil (6.5%) and Oyem (44.2%) (<it>p</it><0.01). Median age among the infected patients increased throughout the study period reaching 84 (60–108) months in Libreville in 2011 (<it>p</it><0.01). From 2008, at all sites, children older than five years were more frequently infected; the risk of being infected significantly increased with time, ranging from 0.37 to 1.50 in 2005 and from 2.03 to 5.10 in 2011 in this group (<it>p<</it>0.01). The risk of being <it>P. falciparum</it>-infected in children aged less than five years old significantly decreased from 2008 to 2011 (<it>p</it><0.01).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study shows an increased risk of malaria infection in different areas of Gabon with over-five year-old children tending to become the most at-risk population, suggesting a changing epidemiology. Moreover, the heterogeneity of the malaria burden in the country highlights the importance of maintaining various malaria control strategies and redefining their implementation.</p>http://www.malariajournal.com/content/12/1/3<it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>ChildrenFeverAgeGabon
spellingShingle Mawili-Mboumba Denise P
Akotet Marielle K Bouyou
Kendjo Eric
Nzamba Joseph
Medang Mathieu Owono
Mbina Jean-Romain Mourou
Kombila Maryvonne
Increase in malaria prevalence and age of at risk population in different areas of Gabon
Malaria Journal
<it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>
Children
Fever
Age
Gabon
title Increase in malaria prevalence and age of at risk population in different areas of Gabon
title_full Increase in malaria prevalence and age of at risk population in different areas of Gabon
title_fullStr Increase in malaria prevalence and age of at risk population in different areas of Gabon
title_full_unstemmed Increase in malaria prevalence and age of at risk population in different areas of Gabon
title_short Increase in malaria prevalence and age of at risk population in different areas of Gabon
title_sort increase in malaria prevalence and age of at risk population in different areas of gabon
topic <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>
Children
Fever
Age
Gabon
url http://www.malariajournal.com/content/12/1/3
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