High prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria among Human Immunodeficiency Virus seropositive population in the Lake Victoria zone, Tanzania

Abstract

Malaria and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections are major public health problems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Their overlapping geographical distribution and co-existence often result into high morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to establish the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria among HIV infected populations. A cross-sectional hospital-based study involving 250 plasma samples from HIV seropositive individuals was conducted in July 2017 at the Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania.  Socio-demographic and other relevant information were extracted from a pre-existing database. Detection of malaria antigens was carried out using the immune-chromatographic test. The mean age of the study participants was 40.0±13.5 years.  The prevalence of P. falciparum was 22.4% (95% CI: 17-27%). None of the factors under study was found to be associated with P. falciparum infection among HIV infected individuals. The prevalence of P. falciparum was high among HIV seropositive individuals in the Lake Victoria Zone, which calls for additional control interventions targeting this group.