Haemoglobin and haematocrit: is the threefold conversion valid for assessing anaemia in malaria-endemic settings?

Background: Anaemic status is determined by haemoglobin using the HemoCue system or haematocrit measurements, and a threefold conversion is commonly used to equate the two measures (haemoglobin = haematocrit/3). The validity of this conversion in malaria endemic settings was assessed.

Methods: Concurrent measures of haemoglobin and centrifuged haematocrit in children aged 6-59 months were compared by modelling the difference between the two measures against their average.

Modeling the relationship between the population prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria and anemia.

More than half of all young children and pregnant women are affected by anemia. Although its etiology is multi-factorial, malaria is likely to be a major contributor to chronic anemia in endemic areas. Recent reviews have examined the effect of community-based malaria control interventions on anemia.

Variation of malaria transmission and morbidity with altitude in Tanzania and with introduction of alphacypermethrin treated nets.

Background: Highland areas with naturally less intense malaria transmission may provide models of how lowland areas might become if transmission was permanently reduced by sustained vector control. It has been argued that vector control should not be attempted in areas of intense transmission.

Methods: Mosquitoes were sampled with light traps, pyrethrum spray and window exit traps.