Determining the Trends of Different <i>Plasmodium</i> Species in Children 0 - 2-Year Post Administration Sulfadoxine and Pyrimethamine in Selected Hospitals in the Metropolitan District of Sierra Leone

Background: Malaria is an alarming health concern, particularly in children under the age of two. Studying and understanding the trends of different Plasmodium species in children under the age of 2 aids in making prevention and control strategies and also prevents misdiagnosis of plasmodium species. This study aims to determine the prevalence and trends of different Plasmodium species in children 0 - 2 years in Metropolitan District in Sierra Leone post administration of S-P. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study with One Hundred and Fifty-Five (155) participants aged 0 - 2 years who had taken Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine prophylaxis were recruited. Samples were collected from participants for malaria parasite test at key tertiary Hospitals in the Metropolitan District. A Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kit was used and for those participants with positive results, venous blood sample was taken for Microscopic both thin and thick film. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Results: From the total 155 samples collected, Ola During Children’s Hospital had a total of 64, Rokupa Government Hospital had a total of 47 and Kingharman Maternal and Child Health Hospital of 44. Ninety-nine (64%) of our participants are females while 56 (36%) are males. Ninety percent (90%) of the participants had P. falciparum infection and P. ovale and P. malariae were recorded in 1% each of the participants. Conclusion: Majority of the participants had Plasmodium infections despite the administration of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine prophylaxis. More females were infected than males in this study and children in rural areas were more infected with malaria than children in urban areas. P. falciparum species shows the highest distribution in all three facilities.