TITLE:
Progression of Frequency and Lethality of Severe Malaria from 2017 to 2020 in the Pediatric Unit of CHUD-Parakou (Benin)
AUTHORS:
Honorat Francis Lalya, Alphonse Noudamadjo, Falilatou Agbeille-Mohamed, Mèdétinmè Gérard Kpanidja, Zinsou Rodrigue Ahodègnon, Julien Didier Adédémy, Joseph Agossou
KEYWORDS:
Severe Malaria, Children, Frequency, Lethality, Benin
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.11 No.4,
October
15,
2021
ABSTRACT: Background: The latest WHO report shows a decline in the performances achieved
concerning the fight against malaria since
2017. This research work aimed to investigate the progression of frequency and
lethality due to severe malaria from 2017 to 2020 in the pediatric unit of the
Borgou University Teaching Hospital in Parakou (CHUD-Parakou). Patients and Methods: This research work is a
descriptive and analytical case-control study focused on all the children aged
1 month and more, hospitalized in the pediatric unit of CHUD-Parakou from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020.
Recruitment criteria were the following: be admitted to hospital during the
period specified above; have a usable medical record containing the diagnosis
and type of discharge, and the findings of thick smear examination and/or of a
rapid diagnostic test. Sampling was complete and takes into account all the
medical records of children meeting the inclusion criteria. Epi Info 7.2.2 was
the software used to perform data processing. Results: The frequencies
of severe malaria in the unit were estimated at 19.89%, 22.65%, 29.65% and
27.51% respectively in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Lethality
rates varied from 7.76% to 8.68 from 2017 through 2020. The death risk
associated with severe malaria was 3.08 times higher
in children suffering from severe acute undernutrition. Conclusion: Despite all the efforts made by the health
authorities and the technical and financial partners, the frequency and
lethality of severe malaria are increasing in the pediatric unit of the B/A Regional University Teaching
Hospital (CHUD-B/A). It is therefore
worth investigating the determinants of this situation.