Abstract

Malaria and typhoid coexists in communities, with varied risk factors. This study aimed to analyse the situation of malaria/typhoid co-infection in Bafmeng, Cameroon. 367 participants, were given questionnaires, and venous blood collected from January To March 2021 for Plasmodium screening and Widal test. The malaria prevalence was 27.5% (101/367) and 32.7% (120/367) for typhoid. Malaria prevalence in males 33.9% (43/127) was higher (p?0.0480) than in females 24.2% (58/240). The ≤5 years old had the highest malaria prevalence of 51.3% (p≤0.005). Out of the 101 participants infected with Plasmodium spp., 37.6% (38/101) were co-infected. Co-infection was high in males (18/43) than in females (20/58). The 25 to 44 years old had the highest co-infection prevalence 11.9% (12/101). GMMPD±SD were higher in co-infected patients (3517±139 parasites/µL,) than in those infected with malaria only (2437±142 parasites/µL) (p?0.001). More participants were aware of malaria (86.6%) than typhoid (48.0%). Those associated with malaria risk factors were the 15–24 years old (p=0.003, OR=0.189; C.I: 0.062–0.574), and the farmers (p=0.025, OR=2.76; CI: 1.136–6.704). Malaria/typhoid co-infection is high in Bafmeng, with malaria parasitaemia exacerbated in co-infected patients. Therefore, there is need to step up sensitisation on malaria prevention, GHP to prevent typhoid infections; and provide source for portable water.

Key words: Malaria, typhoid, co-infection, rural area, Bafmeng, North West region, Cameroon