Anaemia and Malaria in Children attending two Sellected Paediatric Clinics in Kano Metropolis, Northern Nigeria

Abstract

This study was aimed at assessing the extent of correlation between anaemia and malaria amongst paediatric patients attending Paediatric clinics of Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital (MMSH), and Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital (HBPH). Two age groups (0-5 and 6-12 years old) were studied (both male and female). Three hundred samples of blood were examined for Malarial Parasites (MP). Two hundred and fourty six samples that were positive, underwent Haematocrit and Haemoglobin Estimation. Higher prevalence of anaemia was recorded amongst 0-5 years age group: 153(83.2%) out of 184, with prevalence in the total population of 199(80.9%) out of 246. Correlation was significant between malaria and anaemia: τ=0.800, P<0.050 (2-tailed), positive correlation was obtained between PCV and Hb in the whole age groups: τ=0.900, P=0.010; (2-tailed). There was no significant difference between age group and sex of the subjects: T=0.77, P=0.4729; (2-tailed). This study has shown that malaria is one of the common causes of anaemia among children in malaria-endemic areas, Kano inclusive.