Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
PLoS One. 2024 Oct 17;19(10):e0311931. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311931. eCollection 2024.
Malaria and undernutrition pose challenges for children in conflict-affected areas. Understanding the prevalence and risk factors for these issues in war-torn communities is important to effectively design aid efforts and select interventions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of malaria and undernutrition among febrile children in northeast Ethiopia to help address these problems.
A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to January 2023. Four hundred twenty-two children were enrolled using a systematic random sampling technique. Data on associated factor variables were collected via questionnaire. Capillary blood samples were collected from each child to prepare thick and thin blood films, which were stained with Giemsa and examined microscopically. Height and weight measurements were also taken using a meter and a standard calibrated balance. The data were analyzed in SPSS 26.0 using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression to determine associations between correlates, malaria infection, and undernutrition. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
The overall malaria prevalence among screened children at temporary sites in the conflict-affected areas of Northeast Ethiopia was 65.9% (278/422). Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, and mixed infections accounted for 74.1%, 19.8%, and 6.1% of the cases, respectively. The presence of stagnant water (P<0.01), improper utilization of ITN, inadequate number of ITNs per family size (P<0.01), and absence of environmental management (P<0.01) were independent predictors of malaria. On the other hand, the overall undernutrition prevalence was 54.7% (231/422), including 26.5% underweight, 16.8% stunted, and 11.4% wasted. Dietary diversity score (P<0.01), meal frequency (P<0.01), and confirmed malaria infection (P<0.01) were significantly associated with underlnutrition.
Both malaria and undernutrition burdens were high among the children in this study. The findings suggest combined prevention measures for malaria and undernutrition should be strengthened in this region.
疟疾和营养不良是受冲突影响地区儿童面临的挑战。了解饱受战争蹂躏的社区中这些问题的流行率和风险因素对于有效设计援助工作和选择干预措施非常重要。本研究旨在确定东北埃塞俄比亚发热儿童中疟疾和营养不良的流行率和相关因素，以帮助解决这些问题。
这是一项横断面研究，于 2022 年 11 月至 2023 年 1 月进行。采用系统随机抽样技术纳入了 422 名儿童。通过问卷收集与相关因素变量有关的数据。从每个孩子采集毛细血管血样，制备厚、薄血涂片，用吉姆萨染色并在显微镜下检查。使用米尺和标准校准天平测量身高和体重。使用 SPSS 26.0 进行数据分析，采用双变量和多变量逻辑回归分析相关因素、疟疾感染和营养不良之间的关联。设定统计显著性水平为 p<0.05。
在东北埃塞俄比亚受冲突影响地区临时地点筛查的儿童中，总疟疾流行率为 65.9%（278/422）。恶性疟原虫、间日疟原虫和混合感染分别占病例的 74.1%、19.8%和 6.1%。存在死水（P<0.01）、不恰当地使用 ITN、每个家庭大小的 ITN 数量不足（P<0.01）和缺乏环境管理（P<0.01）是疟疾的独立预测因素。另一方面，总营养不良流行率为 54.7%（231/422），包括 26.5%体重不足、16.8%发育迟缓、11.4%消瘦。饮食多样性评分（P<0.01）、进餐频率（P<0.01）和确诊疟疾感染（P<0.01）与营养不良显著相关。
本研究中儿童的疟疾和营养不良负担都很高。研究结果表明，应在该地区加强针对疟疾和营养不良的综合预防措施。
