ArticleBMC infectious diseases2021
Confounding influences of malnutrition and Plasmodium falciparum and Schistosoma haematobium infections on haematological parameters in school children in Muyuka, Cameroon.
Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Systematic review with meta-analysis: Prevalence, risk factors, and challenges for urinary schistosomiasis in children (USC).PloS one · 2023Pooled it
- Stage specific immune responses to schistosomes may explain conflicting results in malaria-schistosome coinfection studies.Infectious Disease Modelling · 2025Article
- Malaria, urogenital schistosomiasis and co-infection and nutritional status of school children in Ondo state.PloS one · 2025Article
- Can haematological changes constitute a surrogate diagnostic parameter to detect schistosomiasis in migrants and travellers? - A retrospective analysis.New microbes and new infections · 2023Article
- Prevalence of malaria-helminth co-infections among children living in a setting of high coverage of standard interventions for malaria and helminths: Two population-based studies in Senegal.Frontiers in public health · 2023Article
- Urogenital schistosomiasis burden in school-aged children in Tiko, Cameroon: a cross-sectional study on prevalence, intensity, knowledge and risk factors.Tropical medicine and health · 2021Article
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8 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundSchool-aged children (SAC) are a high-risk demographic group for infectious diseases and malnutrition. The objective of this study was to assess the burden and the effect of Plasmodium falciparum and Schistosoma haematobium infections on the haematological indices in SAC and the confounding influence of malnutrition on the outcomes.
methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in SAC 4-14 years old living in Ikata, Bafia and Mile 14-Likoko in Muyuka, Cameroon. Anthropometric measures of malnutrition were obtained and blood samples collected were used for detection of malaria parasites by Giemsa-stained blood films using light microscopy and complete blood count analysis using an automated haematology analyser. Urine samples collected were used to detect micro haematuria with the aid of reagent strips and the eggs of S. haematobium by urine filtration technique. Multiple linear regression model was used to examine influence of independent variables on haematological parameters.
resultsOut of the 606 SAC examined, the prevalence of single infections with Plasmodium or S. haematobium and co-infection with both parasites was 16.2, 16.3 and 8.3%, respectively. Overall, malaria parasite (MP), urogenital schistosomiasis, malnutrition, anaemia, haematuria, microcytosis and thrombocytopenia was prevalent in 24.4, 24.6, 25.9, 74.4, 12.2, 45.4 and 11.1% of SAC, respectively. A significant linear decline (P = 0.023) in prevalence of P. falciparum infection with the severity of stunting was observed. Factors that significantly influenced haematological parameters included haemoglobin: age, stunting and MP; haematocrit: age and MP; white blood cell count: age; red blood cell count; age and MP; lymphocyte counts: stunting; mean cell volume: age; mean cell haemoglobin: age and stunting; mean cell haemoglobin concentration: sex, stunting and red cell distribution width-coefficient of variation: sex, age and stunting.
conclusionsMalnutrition, Plasmodium and S. haematobium infections are common while anaemia is a severe public health problem in Muyuka, Cameroon. The interaction between haematological parameters with malaria parasites as well as linear growth index was negative and other interactions indicate systemic inflammation. While findings provide contextual intervention targets to ensure the judicious use of the limited resources, there is need for regular monitoring and proper treatment to improve the health of the underserved population.
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