ANAEMIA AND MALARIA: A STUDY FROM MADHYA PRADESH

Abstract

Background: Malaria is common despite interventions directed to mosquito vector control and treatment of symptomatic cases. In areas where malaria is hyperendemic, such as the study area, a high percentage of the population may harbor the Plasmodium parasite in their blood. The current study was planned to assess the prevalence of malaria and anemia. Methods: A total number of 150 cases were studied for a period of 2 years from Aug 2013 to Sept 2015. Haematological parameters of 150 patients, including 100 malaria-infected and 50 non-malaria infected, who were admitted at the rural tertiary care centre with history of fever were analysed. Patients who were diagnosed as malaria were included in the study. Cases were selected from the the rural health centre of Index Medical College. Results: The median of Hb in patients with falciparum malaria (11.5 g/dL) was signicantly lower than those with vivax malaria (11.9 g/dL) and nonmalaria (13.8 g/dL) groups (P value=<0.0001). Thirty Five (35%) of patients with falciparum malaria; Thirty Two (32%) of patients with vivax malaria; and Thirteen (26%) of patients with non-malaria groups had anaemia. Conclusion: Malaria is common in patients of anaemia. The prevalence of both are positively correlated and both are associated with increased morbidi