Schistosomiasis and Malaria Co-Infection in School Age Children in the Tiko Health District, South West Region, Cameroon

Aims: Parasitic infections are a major cause of diseases and morbidity in Africa, with malaria inflicting the largest burden followed by schistosomiasis. Co-infection with schistosomiasis and malaria may lead to severe health effects on children harbouring both infections. Studies have suggested that co-infection with helminths and malaria alters haematological indices. This study investigated co-infection with Schistosoma species and Plasmodium falciparum amongst school-aged children in the Tiko Health District, South West Region of Cameroon.

Methods: A community based study was conducted in three health areas (Holforth, Tiko Town and Likomba) of the Tiko Health District. Participants aged 5 – 15 years were enrolled into the study. Blood, urine and stool samples were collected from the participants after obtaining consent from their parents. Samples were examined using Microscopy and Polymerase Chain Reaction. Haemoglobin levels were measured using a haemoglobinometer. A total of 397 participants were enrolled into the study.

Results: The prevalence of schistosomiasis, falciparum malaria and co-infection amongst school aged children were 16.1%, 44.3% and 7.8% respectively. Prevalence of anaemia was 38.0%. Those co-infected had the highest prevalence of anaemia (54.8%) than the mono-infected participants though this difference was not statistically significant (x2 = 3.96, P = 0.138). Co-infection was associated with the health area (x² = 13.878, P = 0.001) and visit to the stream (x²= 7.223, P = 0.007). There was an association between co-infection and malaria parasite density (x² = 7.525, P = 0.0232).

Conclusion: There was a relatively low prevalence of co-infection of schistosomiasis and malaria in school-aged children in the Tiko Health District. With respect to anaemia severity, there was no observed association between the infection category and severity of anaemia among the participants (x2 = 5.64, P = 0.464).