Spatio-temporal prevalence of malaria and anaemia in relation to agro-ecosystems in Mvomero district, Tanzania
Abstract Background Agro-ecological systems have been associated with increased malaria intensity. This study determined association between different agro-ecological systems, prevalence of malaria parasitaemia and anaemia in Mvomero district, Tanzania. Methods The study was carried out in three agr...
| Published in: | Malaria Journal |
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| Main Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2019
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-019-2859-y https://doaj.org/article/bf74d7f314fd4c05a93e03990e13715e |
| Summary: | Abstract Background Agro-ecological systems have been associated with increased malaria intensity. This study determined association between different agro-ecological systems, prevalence of malaria parasitaemia and anaemia in Mvomero district, Tanzania. Methods The study was carried out in three agro-ecosystems namely, savannah, rice-irrigation, and sugarcane. Malaria and anaemia prevalence were measured in four seasons of a year. Villages were categorized according to environmental characteristics, proportion of water-shaded areas and agro-ecosystems. Mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with malaria infection. Results A total of 7888 individuals were involved with the overall malaria prevalence of 34.4%. Plasmodium falciparum was the dominant (99.52%) malaria species. Malaria prevalence was highest (42.9%) in children of 10–15 years of age, and significantly low during dry and hot season. Of the infected individuals, 78.1% were from rice-irrigation, 18.7% savannah and 3.2% sugarcane ecosystem. Individuals living in villages with high levels of water-shaded areas had highest malaria risk. Over three-quarters (78.9%) of the individuals slept under a mosquito net, with the highest (88.5%) coverage among individuals in sugarcane ecosystem. On average 47.1% of the children were anaemic. Anaemia was more prevalent (60.5%) among individuals in the savannah than in the rice-irrigation (48.2%) or sugarcane communities (23%). Analysis indicated that ecosystems and levels of water-shaded area were highly correlated, and altered levels of malaria infection. Gender, age, mosquito net-use, and season were other significant determinants of P. falciparum infection. Males had higher odds than females (OR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.05, 1.29). The risk for children 6–9 years and older children (10–15 years) was over 50% and 24%, respectively, higher compared to young ones (0–5 years). Use of mosquito net reduced malaria risk by 26%. The risk of infection was higher during dry and cool season ... |
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