Abstract:

Introduction: Malaria is still a major public health problem worldwide whereby over 40% of the world’s population are exposed to varying degrees of malaria risk. It is estimated that over 500 million people suffer from malaria infections annually, resulting in about 1-2 million deaths, of whom 90% are children in Sub-Saharan Africa. Several studies in more developed settings have reported links between inflammatory conditions like malaria, and cardiovascular diseases. Some studies have hypothesized that malaria might contribute to the cases of hypertension in malaria endemic areas. Despite this inflammation there is paucity of data on burden of malaria among patients with hypertension in Tanzania.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of falciparum malaria among hypertensive patients admitted at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania.

Methods: This was a hospital based cross sectional study involving adult individuals with hypertension conducted from May to July, 2018 at Bugando Medical Centre. Data were collected by using structured data collection tool. Blood sample was used for detection of malaria antigens by Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test, Smear were made, stained with Giemsa and examined microscopically. STATA version 13 was used for analysis of data as per study objectives.

Results: A total of 232 hypertensive patients were enrolled in the study with mean age of 57 ± 14 years. The prevalence of malaria was found to be 1 (0.43%, 95% CI: 0.33-0.46). None of the factor was found associated with malaria infection.

Conclusion and recommendations: Prevalence of malaria is very low among hypertensive patients in Mwanza. These findings supports ongoing malaria control interventions across the country.