Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40423355›Full record

ReviewTropical medicine and infectious disease2025

Navigating the Parasitic Landscape: Insights into Infection Patterns and Public Health Strategies in West Africa.

Patrick F Ayeh-Kumi, Patience B Tetteh-Quarcoo, Isabella N A Aryee, Peter Nii Apai Baddoo, James Teye Ocansey, Michael Kofi Otoboah

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Tropical medicine and infectious disease, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Patrick F Ayeh-KumiDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle-Bu, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana.ORCID 0000-0001-8764-4463
Patience B Tetteh-QuarcooDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle-Bu, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana.
Isabella N A AryeeDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle-Bu, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana.
Peter Nii Apai BaddooDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle-Bu, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana.ORCID 0009-0005-8736-7634
James Teye OcanseyDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle-Bu, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana.
Michael Kofi OtoboahDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle-Bu, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Parasitic infections remain a significant public health challenge in West Africa, contributing to high morbidity and mortality rates, economic burdens, and healthcare system strain. Malaria, soil-transmitted helminths, schistosomiasis, and other parasitic diseases persist due to environmental, socio-economic, and healthcare barriers. A systematic literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct. Studies published between 2014 and 2024 were screened using predefined eligibility criteria. Cross-sectional and case-control studies reporting on prevalence, diagnostic techniques, and treatment of parasitic infections in West Africa were included. The Rayyan online platform was used for screening, and data extraction focused on study location, prevalence rates, diagnostic methods, and treatment regimens. This review identified the high prevalence rates of malaria, schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminths across various West African countries. Co-infections were frequently reported, particularly among children and pregnant women. Diagnostic methods ranged from traditional microscopy to advanced molecular techniques, though accessibility remained a challenge in resource-limited settings. Treatment strategies, including artemisinin-based combination therapies for malaria and mass drug administration for helminths, showed varying efficacy due to reinfection risks and emerging drug resistance. Factors influencing transmission included environmental conditions, sanitation practices, socio-economic status, and healthcare access. Parasitic infections in West Africa continue to pose significant health and economic challenges. Integrated control programs, enhanced surveillance systems, improved access to diagnostics and treatment, and targeted public health interventions are essential for reducing disease burden. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term impact of existing interventions and explore innovative solutions for parasite control and elimination.

Indexed as

diagnostic diseasemortalityparasitic infectionstransmissionzoonotic disease

Identifiers

PMID40423355
PMCPMC12116141

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.