PLASMODIUM VIVAX MALARIA AND ITS EFFECT ON CHILDREN IN AFRICA

Dr. Ali Fatah Ahmed and Prof. Dongchi Zhao*

ABSTRACT

Background: Malaria is highly cognitive disease in African continent, where it is considered to be severe death causing disease. Plasmodium vivax are the main causes of disease and death from malaria. P. falciparum and P. vivax can cause severe anemia. The initial symptom of malaria the sequence high fever with muscle fatigue and weakness. Insight into the complexity of malaria pathogenesis is vital for understanding the disease and will provide a major step towards controlling it. Aim: To assess the effect of plasmodium vivax malaria in children. Material and Methods: This was prospective study conducted at Kenyatta hospital in Kenya. We used questionnaire to collect data, a total of 2465 patients were admitted to hospital during our study period, out of which 350 children affected with malaria were included in our study. Results: Our results revealed that, children in 0–5 year age group had more predilection for severe P. vivax monoinfection (OR = 5.73 [95% CI = 2.36–13.91], P < 0.0001), whereas children in 5–10 year age group were more predilicted to P. falciparum monoinfection (OR = 2.48 [95% CI = 1.09–5.63], P = 0.035). Conclusion: Plasmodium vivax malaria is more prominent in children under 5 years, hence, an increased risk to getting malaria associated effects and mortality in children under 5 years.

Keywords: Plasmodium Vivax; Malaria Effects; Children; Africa.