Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39696502›Full record

ArticleMalaria journal2024

Microscopic prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic malaria in Gorgora, western Dembia, Northwest Ethiopia: exploring hidden threats during minor transmission season.

Tena Cherkos, Adane Derso, Wossenseged Lemma, Aberham Abere, Teshiwal Deress, Banchamlak Tegegne, Gebeyaw Getnet Mekonnen, Abebe Birhanu, Yalewayker Tegegne

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Malaria journal, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Impact of Insecticide-Treated Nets onTropical medicine and infectious disease · 2026
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  6. Unmasking Malaria: Microscopy and nPCR Reveal the Hidden Misdiagnosis ofInterdisciplinary perspectives on infectious diseases · 2026
    Article
  7. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Tena CherkosDepartment of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. tenacherkos476@gmail.com.
Adane DersoDepartment of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Wossenseged LemmaDepartment of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Aberham AbereDepartment of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Teshiwal DeressDepartment of Quality Assurance and Laboratory Management, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Banchamlak TegegneAmhara Public Health Institute, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Gebeyaw Getnet MekonnenDepartment of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Abebe BirhanuDepartment of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Yalewayker TegegneDepartment of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMalaria poses a significant public health threat globally, particularly in African regions, where asymptomatic malaria is a considerable logistic problem. Individuals with asymptomatic malaria do not seek treatment, and thus they are invisible to health facilities and represent a substantial hidden reservoir of Plasmodium species. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and its associated factors in Gorgora, western Dembia district, Northwest Ethiopia.

methodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2023 in the Gorgora area, Western Dembia district, Northwest Ethiopia. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Giemsa-stained blood smear microscopy was employed for the diagnosis of Plasmodium species. The data were entered into Epi Data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify associated factors.

resultsAmong the 357 individuals who participated in this study, 9.2% (33/357) [95% CI 6.40-12.70: p = 0.000] were confirmed to be infected with Plasmodium species. Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax accounted for 66.7% and 33.3%, respectively. Not using bed nets [AOR = 7.3, 95% CI 2.08-23.46, p = 0.006)], previous malaria history [AOR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.01-6.45, p = 0.041], outdoor activities at night [AOR = 8.3, 95% CI 3.21-21.30, p = 0.000], and family size [AOR = 3.3, 95% CI 1.18-9.22, p = 0.023] were significantly associated with asymptomatic malaria (p < 0.05).

conclusionsA considerable proportion of asymptomatic Plasmodium infections was found which likely act as a reservoir of transmission. This has implications for ongoing malaria control programmes that are based on the treatment of symptomatic patients and highlight the need for intervention strategies targeting asymptomatic carriers. Not using bed nets, engaging in outdoor activities at night, and having a family size of more than five increased the odds of developing asymptomatic malaria. The district health office and health extension workers should collaborate to promote the regular use of mosquito bed nets among community residents.

Indexed as

Malaria, FalciparumMalaria, VivaxPlasmodium vivaxAdolescentAdultAgedAsymptomatic InfectionsChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesEthiopiaFemaleHumansMaleMicroscopyMiddle AgedAssociated factorsAsymptomatic malariaGorgoraPrevalence

Identifiers

PMID39696502
PMCPMC11656595

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.