Performance evaluation of a popular malaria RDT in Nigeria compared with microscopy.

Malaria remains a public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment are important in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with malaria especially among high-risk groups. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of one of the popular malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kit in Nigerian market which has not been investigated before in field-condition compared with microscopy as the gold standard. A total number of 250 children of 10 years and below were examined for malaria parasites using both microscopy and RDT in Uhogua community in Edo state and data were analysed using SPSS version 22. The prevalence of malaria by microscopy was 99.2% while only 55.2% were positive by RDT. Majority of the study populations were asymptomatic for malaria infection. RDT sensitivity and specificity compared to light microscopy was 69.08% and 66.67% respectively while the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 99.6% and 1.77% respectively. The RDT accuracy was less than 70%. RDT cannot be relied upon alone for malaria diagnosis. Microscopy remains the gold standard for malaria diagnosis.

Prevalence and risk of malaria, anemia and malnutrition among children in IDPs camp in Edo State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Malaria, anemia and malnutrition are global health challenges with significant morbidity and mortality, with higher rates among children particularly in Africa. Recently there has been displacement of over a million people due to different crisis in Nigeria. However, there is limited study on the public health issues facing these vulnerable populations. This study evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for malaria infection, anemia and malnutrition among children living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Edo state, Nigeria. METHOD: A total of 250 children up to 10 years old were included in the study in the year 2018. Malaria infection was confirmed by rapid diagnostic tests. The hematocrit level was obtained using a centrifuge microhaematocrit and converted to haemoglobin using standard conversion while nutritional status was determined from anthropometric measurements collected, and demographic characteristics were obtained by the use of questionnaire. Anemia and malnutrition were defined according to World Health Organization standards. The logistic regression analysis was used to determine associations between predictor variables and primary outcomes. RESULT: Malaria infection and anemia were recorded for 55.2% and 54.0% of the children, respectively while malnutrition prevalence was 41.2% with wasting, underweight and stunting occurring in 0.04%, 11.2% and 39.2% respectively. Age was a significant risk factor for malaria with higher odds of having malaria infection in children 6-10 years of age [odds ratio (OR) = 2.032, P = 0.021] than in younger children. Being 6-10 years (OR = 2.307, P = 0.015) and having malaria infection (OR = 1.693, P = 0.048) were identified as significant risk factors of anemia while being in the age group of up to 5 years was the only significant risk factor (OR for the older age group = 0.251, P ≤ 0.001) associated with malnutrition. Specific attention needs to be paid to children in IDP camps. CONCLUSION: Anemia and malnutrition control should be integrated with existing malaria control and should include children above five years of age.