Association of intestinal helminths and P. falciparum infections in co-infected school children in northwest Tanzania

Abstract

In

Plasmodium falciparum malaria and intestinal helminth infections are among the most common infections in the tropics and they share the same spatial distribution. The objective of this study was to explore the association between infections with intestinal helminths and P. falciparum infection as single helminth infections or co-infections among school children. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 school children in Nyamtongo, Sengerema District in Tanzania. The study involved examination of single stool and finger prick blood samples for intestinal helminths and malaria parasites. A Kato-Katz technique was employed to screen for intestinal helminths and Giemsa stained thin and thick blood smears were used to screen for malaria parasites. The results of logistic regression model adjusted for age and sex indicated no association between P. falciparum and S. mansoni (OR= 0.749, 95%CI 0.418-1.344), P. falciparum and hookworm (OR= 0.885, 95%CI 0.489-1.605) and P. falciparum and co-infection of S. mansoni and hookworm (OR=0.859, 95%CI 0.422-1.745). Using multinomial regression model adjusted for age and sex, no association was observed between P. falciparum with Schistosoma mansoni [Ratio of Relative Risk (RRR) = 0.651, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.331-1.363] and hookworm (RRR=0712, CI 0.280-1.765). Similarly, no association was observed between co-infections of S. mansoni + hookworm (RRR=0.635, CI 0.268-1.504) with P. falciparum infection. Co-infections of S. mansoni, hookworm and P. falciparum among school children is common in the Nyamatongo ward, Sengerema District. We recommend prospective longitudinal studies to elucidate the interactions of malaria and helminths and its health impact in risk groups.