Vitamin A and Zinc Profile of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Selected Communities in Delta Central Senatorial District, Delta State, Nigeria
Main Article Content
Abstract
Malaria remains a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, where micronutrient deficiencies may complicate infection. This study assessed malaria parasitemia intensity and serum vitamin A and zinc concentrations in Delta Central Senatorial District, Delta State, Nigeria. Thick blood film microscopy was used to examine 566 participants for malaria parasitemia. Serum vitamin A and zinc concentrations were measured in a subset of 50 parasitemic volunteers using the Carr–Price colorimetric method and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, respectively. Analysis of variance was used to compare micronutrient concentrations between parasitemic participants and uninfected controls. Moderate parasitemia (1,000–9,999 parasites/µL) predominated (75.8%), followed by mild parasitemia (24.2%). No parasite densities of ≥10,000 parasites/µL were observed. Serum vitamin A and zinc concentrations were numerically higher in parasitemic participants than in uninfected controls, but neither difference was statistically significant (p > .05). The findings document a predominance of moderate parasitemia without statistically significant differences in the measured micronutrient concentrations between infected participants and controls. This study provides local evidence to inform malaria control strategies that consider both infection and nutritional status in endemic populations.
Citation Metrics:
Downloads
Citation Metrics & Similar Scopus Articles
-
Chen H. (2027)Polyhydroxy Molecular Regulator Enabled Interfacial Microenvironment Programming for Alkaline Zinc–Iron Flow BatteriesNano Micro Letters, 19(1)
-
Berenjian K. (2027)Impact of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) on CYP2D6 Activity and the Restorative Effects of Melatonin and Vitamin C SupplementationIranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 26(1)
-
Chen B. (2027)Decoupling Ion–Dipole Interactions via Competitive Coordination for Durable Dendrite-Free Zinc Metal BatteriesNano Micro Letters, 19(1)
Article Details
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
References
Aaron, G. J., Kariger, P., Aliyu, R., Flach, M., Iya, D., Obadiah, M., & Baker, S. K. (2011). A multi-micronutrient beverage enhances the vitamin A and zinc status of Nigerian primary schoolchildren. The Journal of Nutrition, 141(8), 1565–1572. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.110.136770
Ahmed, S. (2020). Micronutrient deficiencies and malaria: A review of the evidence. Malaria Journal, 19(1), 1–15.
Akande, F. A., Ejilude, O., Adelakun, O. D., & Idowu, A. O. (2022). Hunting: A risk factor associated with malaria infection in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, 43(1). https://www.njpar.com.ng/index.php/home/article/view/253
AOAC INTERNATIONAL. (2019). Official methods of analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL (21st ed.). https://members.aoac.org/AOAC/AOAC/Item_Detail.aspx?Category=OMA&iProductCode=1121
Benelli, G., & Beier, J. C. (2017). Current vector control challenges in the fight against malaria. Acta Tropica, 174, 91–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.06.028
Bhutta, Z. A. (2019). The burden of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in malaria-endemic countries. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1–12.
Cheesbrough, M. (2010). District laboratory practice in tropical countries (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Cheesbrough, M. (2012). District laboratory practice in tropical countries (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Cohee, L. M., Opondo, C., Clarke, S. E., Halliday, K. E., Cano, J., Shipper, A. G., Barger-Kamate, B., Djimde, A., Diarra, S., Dokras, A., Kamya, M. R., Lutumba, P., Ly, A. B., Nankabirwa, J. I., Njagi, J. K., Maiga, H., Maiteki-Sebuguzi, C., Matangila, J., Okello, G., … Chico, R. M. (2020). Preventive malaria treatment among school-aged children in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analyses. The Lancet Global Health, 8(12), e1499–e1511. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30325-9
Darling, A. M., Mugusi, F. M., Etheredge, A. J., Gunaratna, N. S., Abioye, A. I., Aboud, S., Duggan, C., Mongi, R., Spiegelman, D., Roberts, D., Hamer, D. H., Kain, K. C., & Fawzi, W. W. (2017). Vitamin A and zinc supplementation among pregnant women to prevent placental malaria: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Tanzania. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 96(4), 826–834. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.16-0599
Das, D., Grais, R. F., Okiro, E. A., Stepniewska, K., Mansoor, R., van der Kam, S., Terlouw, D. J., Tarning, J., Barnes, K. I., & Guérin, P. J. (2018). Complex interactions between malaria and malnutrition: A systematic literature review. BMC Medicine, 16(1), Article 186. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-018-1177-5
Dic-Ijiewere, O. E., Elekhebor, J. E., Airhomwanbor, K. O., Ehimare, R. I., Idehen, I. C., Osarobo, E., & Okparaku, S. O. (2017). Assessment of some serum micronutrient levels in malaria parasite infected subjects in Ekpoma and environs, Nigeria. International Journal of Community Research, 6(3), 81–92.
Ebisintei, P., Ebikonbowei, A. O., & Idam, B. U. (2024). The impact of malaria infection on serum vitamin A and zinc levels in children in malaria-endemic regions. Greener Journal of Medical Sciences, 14(2), 89–93. https://www.gjournals.org/2024/07/03/060824078-ebisintei/
Elom, M. O., Okafor, F. C., Eyo, J. E., Usanga, V. U., & Umoh, N. O. (2019). Maternal vitamin A supplementation delays time to first episode of parasitaemia and reduces malaria parasite densities among infants in rural communities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Tropical Biomedicine, 36(1), 194–200.
Gera, T. (2020). The intersection of malaria and malnutrition: A review of the evidence and implications for policy and practice. International Health, 12(3), 1–14.
Isiko, I., Nyegenye, S., Bett, D. K., Asingwire, J. M., Okoro, L. N., Emeribe, N. A., Koech, C. C., Ahgu, O., Bulus, N. G., Taremwa, K., & Mwesigwa, A. (2024). Factors associated with the risk of malaria among children: Analysis of 2021 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey. Malaria Journal, 23(1), Article 109. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-04939-6
Jimoh, B. O., Fadipe, M. T., & Emokpae, M. A. (2022). Serum copper, zinc, and copper–zinc ratio in children with malaria. Saudi Journal for Health Sciences, 11(2), 119–124.
Kotepui, M., Wilairatana, P., Mala, W., Kotepui, K. U., Masangkay, F. R., & Wangdi, K. (2023). Effects of daily zinc alone or in combination with other nutrient supplements on the risk of malaria parasitaemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Nutrients, 15(13), Article 2855. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132855
Mbacham, W. F., Ayong, L., Guewo-Fokeng, M., & Makoge, V. (2019). Current situation of malaria in Africa. In F. Ariey, F. Gay, & R. Ménard (Eds.), Malaria control and elimination (pp. 29–44). Humana. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9550-9_2
Menéndez, C., Fleming, A. F., & Alonso, P. L. (2000). Malaria-related anaemia. Parasitology Today, 16(11), 469–476. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-4758(00)01774-9
Nmorsi, O. P. G., Ukwandu, N. C. D., Oladokun, I. A., & Elozino, S. E. (2007). Severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria in some Nigerian children. Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 2(4), 205–210. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1557049
Oyibo, W., Latham, V., Oladipo, O., Ntadom, G., Uhomoibhi, P., Ogbulafor, N., Okoronkwo, C., Okoh, F., Mahmoud, A., Shekarau, E., Oresanya, O., Cherima, Y. J., Jalingo, I., Abba, B., Audu, M., & Conway, D. J. (2023). Malaria parasite density and detailed qualitative microscopy enhances large-scale profiling of infection endemicity in Nigeria. Scientific Reports, 13, Article 1599. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-27535-1
Rijken, M. J., McGready, R., Boel, M. E., Poespoprodjo, R., Singh, N., Syafruddin, D., Rogerson, S., & Nosten, F. (2012). Malaria in pregnancy in the Asia-Pacific region. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 12(1), 75–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(11)70315-2
Shankar, A. H. (2000). Zinc and immune function. Nutrition Research Reviews, 13(1), 1–15.
Taylor, W. R. J., Hanson, J., Turner, G. D. H., White, N. J., & Dondorp, A. M. (2012). Respiratory manifestations of malaria. Chest, 142(2), 492–505. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.11-2655
World Health Organization. (2019). Vitamin A. WHO Guidelines on Nutrition.
World Health Organization. (2024). World malaria report 2024: Addressing inequity in the global malaria response. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240104440
World Health Organization. (2025, December 4). Malaria. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria
World Health Organization. (2026). Malaria.
Zeba, A. N., Sorgho, H., Rouamba, N., Zongo, I., Rouamba, J., Guiguemdë, R. T., Hamer, D. H., Mokhtar, N., & Ouedraogo, J.-B. (2008). Major reduction of malaria morbidity with combined vitamin A and zinc supplementation in young children in Burkina Faso: A randomized double blind trial. Nutrition Journal, 7, Article 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-7-7
Article Sidebar
Page Numbers:
393-405
Digital Object ID:
Viewed: 20 times
Downloaded: 17 times
LYAS Publisher cordially invites qualified professionals to serve as Editors or Reviewers. Your expertise will make an important contribution to maintaining and strengthening the academic quality of our publications. Interested applicants are kindly requested to complete the application form at the following link: Editors & Reviewers
Please feel free to contact us if you need any further information about the submission process or if you have any additional questions.
Authors:
Copyright :Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication.
Explore Our Journals
Find the journal that best fits your research. If this journal does not match your manuscript’s scope, explore our portfolio below to select a more suitable publication venue.