Malaria and Urinary Tract Infections among Children Under five Years with Malnutrition at a District Hospital in Ghana

Background: Malnutrition is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five years. This study aimed to evaluate malaria and urinary tract infections among children under five years of age with malnutrition. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on ۱۸۹ children under five years with malnutrition. Their weight and height were measured using standard scales. Weight to height/length (wasting), weight to age (underweight), and height/length to age (stunting) ratios were computed using WHO growth charts. Clinical features were assessed. Blood smear, rapid diagnostic test for malaria, as well as urine dipstick test were done to detect those with malaria and urinary tract infections. Findings: About ۸۰.۹۵% of participants had marasmus, and ۱۱.۶۴% had marasmic kwashiorkor, while ۷.۴۱% had kwashiorkor. Also, ۲۳.۷۰ and ۶۲.۴۲% of participants had moderate and severe malnutrition, respectively; in addition, ۲۱.۶۹ and ۲.۱۲% were moderately and severely stunted, respectively. Regarding underweight (weight to age), ۵۰.۲۶ and ۴.۷۶% were moderately and severely underweight, respectively. Also, ۱۵.۸۷% of participants had a positive blood smear for malaria, and ۱۹.۵۸% had a positive rapid diagnostic test for malaria, while ۲۰.۱۱ and ۲۰.۶۳% had positive results for nitrite and leukocyte esterase activity in urine dipstick test, respectively. Conclusion: Malaria and urinary tract infections are common among children with malnutrition and could be diagnosed using simple laboratory tests such as rapid diagnostic tests and urine dipstick tests in health facilities without laboratory support in resource-limited countries.

کلیدواژه ها:

Children ، Malaria ، Malnutrition ، Urinary tract infection.