Prevalence of plasmodium species and associated demographic and risk factors in cancer, sickle cell and febrile patients attending a Tertiary Hospitals in Zaria-Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The duo plasmodium falciparum malaria infection and sickle cell disease prevalence are established, and consequent morbidity and mortality are significant in parts of Nigeria. The emerging increase of cancer morbidity and mortality impact is expected to complicate these conditions. It is against this not so clear relationship that this study is set.

Objective: To determine plasmodium prevalence and associated demographic and risk factors in cancer, sickle cell and febrile patients.

Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional prevalence in which participants were randomly recruited from a tertiary hospital in Kaduna State Nigeria. A total of 279 cancer and sickle cell and febrile patients were assessed for the plasmodium infection and parasitaemia by the Giemsa stain methods.

Results: The plasmodium prevalence was 63.4%. The cancer, sickle-cell and febrile patients had prevalence of 89.5%, 76.9% and 48.2% with parasitaemia observed in 39.5%, 7.7% and 16.5% respectively. The prevalence was higher in females (67.5%) than males (58.4%) and high parasitaemia in 20.8% of females and 14.4% of males. Prevalence was over 50% within age groups 11 – 20 and 51 – 70 years. Kaduna residence had lower prevalence (58.0%) than those from outside Kaduna (72.8%). The single, divorced, widow(er), farmers and those with no formal occupation had a prevalence of over 50%. Participants with primary education had the highest prevalence (87.5%). Prevalence was over 80% for head and neck, lung, breast and cervical cancer

Conclusion: The high prevalence of plasmodium infection in cancer and sickle cell patients necessitates monitoring for plasmodium infection and prompt interventions.