Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax Malaria among Consulting and Community-Based Individuals in Bamenda, Northwest Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Malaria remains a public health concern in Bamenda, and the detection of Plasmodium vivax alongside the predominant Plasmodium falciparum supports local assessment of species-specific infection patterns. Aims: This study assessed the prevalence and density of Plasmodium parasites among consulting and community-based individuals in Bamenda. Study Design: This was a hospital- and community-based cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Bamenda I, II, III, Tubah and Santa Health Districts from January to September 2024. Methodology: Pre-tested questionnaires were used to collect data on demographic and clinical characteristics. Two (2) mL of venous blood was collected from each participant. Thick and thin blood smears were prepared, Giemsa-stained, and examined for parasite detection and speciation. The data collected were analysed using SPSS version 28.0. Geometric mean parasite densities (GMPDs) were compared using the student’s t-test. The significance level was set at P <.05. Results: Of the 1133 participants, 183 (16.2%) tested positive for malaria parasites (MP). The prevalence of P. falciparum mono-infection (14.5%, 164) was higher than that of P. vivax mono-infection (0.2%, 2). P. falciparum/P. vivax co-infections were also recorded (1.5%, 17). P. falciparum prevalence among consulting and community-based individuals was 19.6% (122/623) and 8.2% (42/510), respectively. Higher P. falciparum prevalence was recorded among participants presenting with fever (OR = 6.83, 95% CI: 4.03-11.55, P < .001) and headache (OR = 3.96, 95% CI: 2.7-5.7, P < .001). The highest geometric mean parasite density (GMPD)/µl of blood (1391) was recorded in participants aged 24-34 years, whereas the lowest (332) was recorded in those aged ≥35 years; however, the difference was not statistically significant (t = 0.91, P = .06). GMPD was also higher in males (1110/µl) than in females (408/µl), but the difference was not statistically significant (t = 1.17, P = .31). Conclusion: P. falciparum and P. vivax species were detected both as mono-infections and as co-infections. Malaria management in the study area should consider both species.