Prevalence Rate of Intestinal Parasites/Malaria Co-Infections and their Associated Risk Factors in Melong and Denzo, Littoral Region- Cameroon)

Objective: To determine the prevalence rate of intestinal parasites/malaria co-infections and their associated risk factors in Melong and Denzo, Littoral region- Cameroon

Materials and Methods: Study period was from November 2019-March 2020. Blood samples were collected after informed consent by finger pricking. Stool samples were examined using normal saline and the Kato-Katz technique for the presence and intensity of IPs. Thick blood films were prepared, Giemsa-stained and examined under x100 for the presence of parasites and estimate GMPD. A structured questionnaire was filled out to obtain information on different factors which might predispose participants to become infected. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23 at P<0.05.

Results: The overall prevalence of IP was 28.3% (113/400). Entamoeba histolytica was the most prevalent IP 22.0% (88/400) and it was significantly more in Melong (27.7%, 76/274) than in Denzo (9.5%, 12/126), (P=0.001). The overall prevalence of malaria was 66.5% (266/400). The prevalence of malaria was higher in Denzo (79.3%, 100/126) than in Melong (60.5, 166/274), P=0.001. Children ≤5 years recorded the highest (75.4%, 83/110) prevalence of malaria, and the difference between age groups was significant, p=0.016. The overall prevalence of co-infections was 16.3% (65/400). Low access to bed nets, presence of bushes and water bodies, poor drinking water source and lack of personal and community hygiene are the associated risk factors leading to co-infection of malaria and intestinal parasites.

Conclusion: Intestinal parasites/malaria co-infections are still a cause of morbidity and mortality in Cameroon; interventions targeting groups at risk will help reduce the burden of these diseases in Melong and Denzo localities.