Nutritional status of @entity1 in a XXXX meso endemic area: cross sectional study on prevalence, intensity, predictors, influence on @entity311 and @entity417 severity.

@entity1 @entity417 @entity3147 @entity311 @entity5653
BACKGROUND: The contradictory results on the interaction between nutritional status and @entity311 warrants further investigation in various epidemiological settings, to assert the antagonistic or synergistic relationship. This study examines the prevalence, severity and predictors of @entity3147 and its influence on @entity311 and @entity417 severity in @entity1 in the Mount Cameroon area. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 454 @entity1    <=   14  years was carried out from February to May 2013 in Muea community. Anthropometric measures of @entity3147 (z-scores   <   -2 standard deviations below mean) were obtained and spleen size assessed. The prevalence and density of @entity311 parasites were determined and haemoglobin concentration and white blood cell count obtained using an automated haematology analyzer. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate influence of @entity3147 on @entity417 , @entity311 and predictors respectively. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of @entity3147 was 22.8  %, with stunting being the most common form (17.1  %), followed by underweight (8.2  %) and @entity5653 (5.5  %). Stunting was significantly higher (P   <   0.01) in males (23.1  %) than in females (11.9  %). The prevalence of @entity3147 was significantly highest (P   =   0.03) in @entity1  <=5  years old (29.5  %) than their counterparts. Severe stunting, @entity5653 and underweight were prevalent in 4.9  %, 1.6  % and 1.8  % of the @entity1 respectively. Clinical @entity311 was significantly higher (P   =   0.01) in @entity1 who were stunted (16.9  %) and underweight (21.6  %) than their normal counterparts (7.5  %; 8.2  % respectively). The model demonstrated sex (P   =   0.006) and age group 1.1-3 years (P   =   0.03) as significant predictors of @entity3147 . In @entity1 who were @entity311 parasite negative, the prevalence of @entity417 as well as severities were significantly higher (P   =   0.04 and P   =   0.001 respectively) in those malnourished. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of stunting in the community significantly augmented the prevalence and clinical presentation of Plasmodium infection. @entity3147 enhanced the severity of @entity417 in @entity311 parasite negative @entity1 hence, their health and growth potential needs to be improved upon.
