Malaria and Hiv Co-infection at milo sub-location in bungoma county, western kenya..

Abstract

Background: Malaria and HIV infections are some of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality of our recent times. Both are prevalent in areas where they are of greatest disease burden and more so in resource limited regions. Malaria and HIV interact with one another with harmful effects. HIV may increase susceptibility to malaria infections, change its course and severity. Likewise malaria increases HIV viral load, consequently reducing CD4+ cells which may ultimately reduce the period of progression of HIV asymptomatic phase to AIDS. Additionally HIV infected patients have a higher rate of anti-malarial treatment failure, multiple drug therapy used for treatment of both infections increases the possibility of drug interactions, which may reduce the efficacy and increase toxicities of some specific drugs. Although the longterm effects of these interactions are still unclear, and is of great public health concern, healthcare programmes should be considered jointly for both diseases in areas where they are coendemic. Milo sub location in western Kenya has established cases of both HIV and malaria infections, with limited documented data. Objective: To assess the effects of HIV on malaria parasitaemia among residents of Milo sublocation in western Kenya Methods: Data on malaria and HIV sero-status of 3258 participants with informed consent was obtained from Webuye health demographic surveillance system (WHDSS) and Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) in the year 2010 in Milo-sub-location. This was subjected to univariate and multivariate data analysis adjusting for age, sex, malaria and HIV status. Results: The analysis determined that Milo sub-location is a malaria hyperendemic zone, with high malaria density among children. The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia in children aged 2- 10 years was 73.14% in the general population. There was no significant association between malaria prevalence and HIV status (p value 0.327). HIV co-infected individuals showed elevated mean malaria parasite density when compared to HIV negative persons. This was statistically significant (P-value of 0.002). Conclusion: Milo sub location is a malaria hyperendemic zone as indicated by malaria parasitaemia in children aged between 2-10 years. The mean malaria parasite density was elevated among children less than ten years. HIV co-infected persons had higher malaria parasite density than HIV negative population; however, there was no association between malaria prevalence and HIV sero-status.