Malaria and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection in febrile patients attending the Regional Hospital of Buea, Southwest region, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) account for significant morbidity and mortality in Cameroon. Studies on malaria and HIV coinfection in the Southwest Region of the country are few. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria and HIV coinfection as well as the association between HIV and severe malaria (SM), in febrile patients attending the Regional Hospital of Buea. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 218 febrile patients were enrolled from the Outpatient Department/Emergency Unit of the Regional Hospital of Buea. Their vital signs were collected, and the consulting physician examined them. Their HIV and malaria statuses were determined by serology and Giemsa microscopy, respectively. SM was classified according to the WHO criteria. Results: The participants' age ranged between 2 weeks and 79 years, and the majority were females (59.2%). The prevalence of malaria, HIV, and coinfection with malaria and HIV were 30.7%, 6.9%, and 2.3%, respectively. Malaria prevalence was significantly higher in children 10 years and below (P = 0.018); meanwhile, HIV prevalence was significantly higher in participants between 31 and 40 years (P = 0.005). The mean hemoglobin concentration was significantly lower while the malaria parasite density was significantly higher in malaria and HIV-coinfected group. The rate of SM was 13.8%, and this was higher in children ≤10 years (P = 0.037). The association between HIV and SM was not statistically significant (P = 0.308). Conclusion: In general, a low prevalence of coinfection with malaria and HIV was observed, and HIV infection was not found to be associated with SM in this study. Further studies in other populations from Cameroon are required to shed more light.

Keywords

• buea
• human immunodeficiency virus
• malaria
• severe malaria