[Epidemiological aspects of malaria in 2 villages of the Manyemen forest region (Cameroon, southwest province)].

In terms of parasitaemia in blood, the prevalence was 18.7% for Plasmodium falciparum, 10.5% for P. ovale and 1% for P. malariae in the villages of Mungo Ndor and Kokobuma. The plasmodial index of children from 2 to 9 years of age was 38.2% and the spleen index 26.6%, with a mean HACKETT score of 1.56. Malaria is thus meso-endemic in the region. The immunofluorescent test performed with a P. falciparum antigen was positive in 66% of the children in the same age group. Parasites were seen in 15% of new-born children. The malaria infection indices were higher in Mungo Ndor, which is located on the main road in the vicinity of the Manyemen hospital, than in Kokobuma. Morbidity and mortality due to malaria remain major problems in this part of the South-West Province, in spite of improving primary health care facilities and free chloroquine distribution. Anopheles gambiae is the main vector of malaria in the area, and transmission is interrupted only during the short dry season.