Biteghe-Bi-Essone Jean-Claude, Imboumy-Limoukou Roméo Karl, Ontoua Steede-Seinnat, Atiga Nick, Mbani-Mpega Nancy, Kouna Lady Charlène, Lekana-Douki Jean Bernard, Oyegue-Liabagui Lydie Sandrine
Unit of Evolution, Epidemiology and Parasitic Resistances, Franceville International Medical Research Centre, Franceville, Gabon.
Research Laboratory, Regional Doctoral School in Tropical Infectiology, Franceville, Gabon.
J Parasitol Res. 2024 Dec 26;2024:8263358. doi: 10.1155/japr/8263358. eCollection 2024.
A better understanding of malaria epidemiology in both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals is essential for developing strategies to control the disease. This study was conducted to determine infection prevalence and its associated factors among people living in Franceville (urban area) and in the villages of Pana and Mvengue (rural areas) in south-east Gabon between April and July 2022. This cross-sectional study was conducted among all consenting residents of Franceville, Mvengue, and Pana between April and July 2022. After obtaining informed consent, sp. infection was screened by microscopy, and a structured questionnaire was developed to record sociodemographic data, attitudes, and practices regarding malaria. A total of 976 participants were included, with 491 in urban areas and 485 in rural areas. The overall prevalence of sp. infection was 21.62% (211/976; 95% confidence interval (CI) [19.15-24.31]). The prevalence was highest in children aged 6-11 years. In urban areas, the prevalence was 19.35% (95/491; 95% CI [16.10-23.07]), and 96.84% of infections were asymptomatic. The most infected age group was 18-23 years. In rural areas, the prevalence was 23.92% (116/485, 95% CI [20.34-27.91], and 93.97% (109/116) of infections were asymptomatic. Socioeconomic characteristics, attitudes, and practices towards sp. infection were not associated with a risk of asymptomatic malaria infection. This study highlights the importance of asymptomatic sp. infection in south-east Gabon and the need for control strategies adapted to different areas and age groups. Detection and treatment of asymptomatic carriers could be an important lever for malaria control and elimination in the country.
更好地了解无症状和有症状个体的疟疾流行病学对于制定疾病控制策略至关重要。本研究旨在确定2022年4月至7月期间加蓬东南部弗朗斯维尔（市区）以及帕纳和姆温盖村（农村地区）居民中的感染率及其相关因素。这项横断面研究于2022年4月至7月在弗朗斯维尔、姆温盖和帕纳所有同意参与的居民中进行。在获得知情同意后，通过显微镜检查筛查疟原虫感染，并设计了一份结构化问卷来记录社会人口统计学数据、对疟疾的态度和行为。总共纳入了976名参与者，其中市区491人，农村地区485人。疟原虫感染的总体患病率为21.62%（211/976；95%置信区间[CI][19.15 - 24.31]）。患病率在6至11岁儿童中最高。在市区，患病率为19.35%（95/491；95%CI[16.10 - 23.07]），96.84%的感染为无症状感染。感染最严重的年龄组为18至23岁。在农村地区，患病率为23.92%（116/485，95%CI[20.34 - 27.91]），93.97%（109/116）的感染为无症状感染。社会经济特征、对疟原虫感染的态度和行为与无症状疟疾感染风险无关。本研究强调了加蓬东南部无症状疟原虫感染的重要性以及针对不同地区和年龄组制定控制策略的必要性。检测和治疗无症状携带者可能是该国疟疾控制和消除的重要手段。
