Comparative Assessment of Nutritional Status and Anthropometric Parameters of Malaria Infected Subjects

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by parasitic protozoans (a type of unicellular microorganism) of the genus Plasmodium. This study was designed to assess the nutritional status (serum total protein, albumin, globulin, triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol) and anthropometric parameters (Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC)) of malaria infected subjects in Ekpoma, Edo State and make comparison with that of the control group. A total of one hundred subjects were recruited for this study which consist of fifty (50) malaria infected individuals and fifty (50) apparently healthy subjects which served as control. Subject data such as name, age and gender were obtained. The results of this study revealed that the total protein, TG, cholesterol, globulin and BMI levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) in malaria infected subjects when compared with the control. On the contrary, albumin levels were significantly lower (p<0.05) in malaria infected subjects when compared with the control. Also, WC levels were not significantly different (p>0.05) in malaria infected subjects when compared with the control. TG, albumin and globulin levels were not significantly lower (p>0.05) in male subjects when compared with the female subjects. WC levels were not significantly higher (p>0.05) in male subjectswhen compared with the female subjects. BMI levels were not significantly different (p>0.05) in male subjects when compared with the female subjects. Based on the results of this study, it can be seen that malaria and malnutrition remain real public health problems. Knowledge on the nutritional profile of the population would be of great benefit in setting up an appropriate health program. We therefore suggest that more standardized studies be conducted to highlight the effect of nutrition and micronutrients on immunological status.