Research Article - Current Pediatric Research (2025) Volume 29, Issue 2

MALARIA PREVALENCE AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE IN THE COMMUNE OF NTOUM, NORTHWEST GABON

Background: In Gabon, the malaria burden among children five residing in the western corner of the Estuary province is unknown. Objective: To determine the prevalence of malaria infection among children aged five, characterize the sociodemographic profile of these children and present the means of mosquito control used by their parent or guardian. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted over six (6) months, from June to December 2024, at NTOUM Regional (NR) Hospital. Blood samples were collected from 274 children attending the hospital, and analyzed using two different diagnostic methods (microscopy and rapid diagnostic test (RDT)). The socio-demographic data of the children's parents or guardians and the means of malaria prevention used in their household were recorded using a structured questionnaire. Data were then analyzed using R software version 4.1.2. Statistical significance was set at P <0.05. Results: 189 blood samples were microscopically and immunochromatographically positive, representing a overall malaria prevalence of 69%. Very good agreement was observed between light microscopy and RDT (97.5%). Among all the independent variables considered in this study, only the unemployment was significantly associated with malaria (OR=2.28; 95% CI=1.2–4.35; P=0.0118). Whereas , children vomiting were less likely to be infected with malaria (OR=0.53; 95% CI=0.29–0.99; P=0.045) The parents or guardians of the children surveyed were mostly educated to secondary or university level (94.4%) and preferred insecticide-treated nets to aerosol insecticides (71% and 21.2% respectively). Conclusion: Malaria is a major public health problem in Gabon. It affects particularly children under five year’s old living in the commune of Ntoum. To break the chain of malaria transmission in this part of the country, better access to malaria preventive measures is needed.

Author(s):

Bourdettes Meye*, Hilaire Moundounga Kengu,e leRobert Eya’ama M, veLudjer Mpi gEakambou, Joseph Privat Ondo and Louis Clément Obame Engonga

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