Scholarlink

Background <p>Malaria remains a major cause of febrile illness in Malawi; however, the epidemiology of non-malarial febrile illnesses (NMFIs) is less well characterized. Understanding the distribution and determinants of NMFIs across demographic groups is essential for improving case management in malaria-endemic settings.</p> Objectives <p>This study aimed to characterized the distribution and predictors of NMFIs among preschool-aged children (PSC), school-aged children (SAC), women of reproductive age (WRA), and men in Malawi.</p> Methods <p>Secondary data from the 2015–2016 Malawi Micronutrient Survey were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted separately for each population subgroup to identify factors independently associated with NMFIs. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.</p> Results <p>The prevalence of NMFIs was highest among PSC (27.0%) and lowest among men (9.1%). Asymptomatic malaria was most common in SAC (28.6%), while symptomatic malaria was highest in PSC (15.9%). Among PSC, age 24–35&#xa0;months (aOR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.4–4.6), recent diarrhea (aOR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.5), recent cough (aOR = 3.8; 95% CI 2.5–5.7), wasting (aOR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.0–4.8), and urban residence (aOR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.0–3.5) were associated with increased odds of NMFIs. In SAC, WRA, and men, recent cough was a consistent predictor of NMFIs (aOR = 1.9; 95% CI 0.9–4.2; aOR = 3.1; 95% CI 1.7–5.8; and aOR = 44.3; 95% CI 10.2–192.8, respectively). Among WRA and men, elevated alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels were also associated with higher odds of NMFIs (aOR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.0–4.8 and aOR = 4.5; 95% CI 1.0–86.4, respectively).</p> Conclusion <p>PSC bear the highest burden of NMFIs and symptomatic malaria, while SAC commonly harbor asymptomatic malaria. Febrile illness management should move beyond malaria-focused approaches to include integrated screening for common non-malarial infections, particularly in young children.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Identifying populations with high prevalence of non-malarial febrile illnesses across different demographic groups in Malawi

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月17日

查看全文
  • Peter Austin Morton Ntenda,
  • David Matiya,
  • Precious Kondwani Majoni,
  • Rex Barnett Mbewe,
  • Fentanesh Nibret Tiruneh

摘要

Background

Malaria remains a major cause of febrile illness in Malawi; however, the epidemiology of non-malarial febrile illnesses (NMFIs) is less well characterized. Understanding the distribution and determinants of NMFIs across demographic groups is essential for improving case management in malaria-endemic settings.

Objectives

This study aimed to characterized the distribution and predictors of NMFIs among preschool-aged children (PSC), school-aged children (SAC), women of reproductive age (WRA), and men in Malawi.

Methods

Secondary data from the 2015–2016 Malawi Micronutrient Survey were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted separately for each population subgroup to identify factors independently associated with NMFIs. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.

Results

The prevalence of NMFIs was highest among PSC (27.0%) and lowest among men (9.1%). Asymptomatic malaria was most common in SAC (28.6%), while symptomatic malaria was highest in PSC (15.9%). Among PSC, age 24–35 months (aOR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.4–4.6), recent diarrhea (aOR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.5), recent cough (aOR = 3.8; 95% CI 2.5–5.7), wasting (aOR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.0–4.8), and urban residence (aOR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.0–3.5) were associated with increased odds of NMFIs. In SAC, WRA, and men, recent cough was a consistent predictor of NMFIs (aOR = 1.9; 95% CI 0.9–4.2; aOR = 3.1; 95% CI 1.7–5.8; and aOR = 44.3; 95% CI 10.2–192.8, respectively). Among WRA and men, elevated alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels were also associated with higher odds of NMFIs (aOR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.0–4.8 and aOR = 4.5; 95% CI 1.0–86.4, respectively).

Conclusion

PSC bear the highest burden of NMFIs and symptomatic malaria, while SAC commonly harbor asymptomatic malaria. Febrile illness management should move beyond malaria-focused approaches to include integrated screening for common non-malarial infections, particularly in young children.