Erratum: The editorial board has deemed it necessary to include the name of the third author R. Omoregie, in the undermentioned cover page of the manuscript. It was inadvertently omitted in volume 17, number 1, January 2018. Our sincere apologies

Abstract

Aim: Plasmodium falciparum malaria is associated with mental disorders. Asymptomatic malaria is a condition where there are no symptoms but there is parasitaemia if blood is tested. This study aims to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia among out-patients of a mentally-ill health institution in Benin City, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Thick blood films were made from blood specimens taken from 400 participants consisting of 300 mentally ill patients and 100 apparently healthy non-mentally ill subjects. Information on gender, age, marital status and occupation were obtained from the mentally ill patients. The thick blood films were used for malaria diagnosis, and the remaining blood samples were used for haemoglobin estimation using standard techniques. The data obtained from this study were analyzed using Chi square (X²) for comparing frequency data while the potential risk factors were calculated for using odd ratio.

Results: Mental illness is significantly associated with asymptomatic malaria (Psychiatric vs non-psychiatric: 20% vs 5%: OR=4.750 95% CI=1.850, 12.196; P=0.0002). Among the mentally ill, asymptomatic malaria was significantly associated with anaemia (OR=17.458 95% CI=8.711, 35.349; P<0.0001). Mentally ill patients 61 years and above had significantly (P<0.0001) higher prevalence of asymptomatic malaria. Gender, marital status and occupation of the mentally ill patients did not significantly affect asymptomatic malaria (P>0.05).

Conclusion: An overall prevalence of 20% of asymptomatic malaria was observed among the mentally ill and measures to eliminate asymptomatic malaria and associated complications among the mentally ill are advocated.

Keywords: Benin City, Malaria infection, Psychiatric patients