Insecticide-treated net ownership, utilization and knowledge of malaria in children residing in Batoke-Limbe, Mount Cameroon area: effect on malariometric and haematological indices.

Background: Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are the most widely used interventions for malaria control in Africa. The aim of this study was to assess the ownership and utilization of ITNs and the knowledge of malaria and their effects on malariometric and haematological indices in children living in the Mount Cameroon area.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study involving a total of 405 children aged between 6 months and 14 years living in Batoke-Limbe was carried out between July and October 2017.

Concurrence of CareStart™ Malaria HRP2 RDT with microscopy in population screening for infection in the Mount Cameroon area: predictors for RDT positivity.

Background: Malaria remains a diagnostic challenge in many endemic communities. Although rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are presently widely used for malaria diagnosis, there is a dearth of information on post-marketing surveillance on its efficacy in Cameroon. The present study evaluated the performance characteristics of CareStart™ Malaria HRP2 (histidine-rich protein 2) antigen (Ag) RDT in diagnosing infection in the Mount Cameroon area and predictors associated with RDT positivity.

Malaria parasitaemia, anaemia and malnutrition in children less than 15 years residing in different altitudes along the slope of Mount Cameroon: prevalence, intensity and risk factors.

Background: Malaria, anaemia and malnutrition are frequently co-existing diseases that cause significant morbidity and mortality particularly among children. This study measured the prevalence, intensity and evaluated risk factors for malaria parasitaemia, anaemia and malnutrition among children living at low versus high altitude settings in the Mount Cameroon area.

Methods: A cross-sectional community based survey involving 828 children aged 6 months to 14 years was conducted between July and November 2017.