Abstract:

Background: Malaria and HIV are major global health problems occurring in the same geographical area. Co-infection of these disease in a single individual tends to enhance each other’s effects. Therefore this study was conducted to determine the prevalence, predictors and outcome of malaria in HIV negative in comparison to HIV positive children.

Methodology: This was a hospital based study done at BMC and Sekoutoure hospitals between October 2011 and April 2012. A structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, clinical symptoms and signs on admission. Blood slide for malaria and HIVRDT was done. Data was analyzed using STATA 10 (Calfornia, USA).

Results: We enrolled 400 participants and malaria parasitaemia was detected in 95 participants giving an overall prevalence of 20.8%; while malarial parasitaemia prevalence among HIV positive was 46.1% (24/52) and HIV negative was 20.4% (71/348) p=0.02. HIV positive and severe anemia was strong predictors of malaria. In-hospital mortality. HIV positive children had higher parasitaemia and a slower parasite clearance as compared to HIV negative patients.

Conclusion: Prevalence of malaria in HIV positive patients is 2-fold higher in comparison to HIV negative patients. HIV positivity and severe anaemia predicts malaria. HIV positive patients tend to have severe malaria, higher parasite count, and a slower parasite clearance.

Recommendation: HIV positive patients should be considered more vulnerable to malaria hence more aggressive treatment with follow up control slides to ensure parasite clearance.