Hematological parameters of malaria infected adult patients in Raya Alamata Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background:Hematological changes are the most common complications encountered in malaria and they play a major role in malaria pathology. Hematological changes likered blood cells, platelets and leukocyteshave been observed in patients with malaria. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare hematological parameters of malaria infectedadult patientsin Alamata Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia from Feb. 01- April 30, 2019. Materials andMethods: Comparative cross sectional study was used to compare changes of hematological parameters between 238 malaria infected patients and controls in Raya Alamata Hospital. Data for the different hematological parameters were expressed as mean (±SD).Independentt-test was used for comparison between groups.Multivariable logistic regression model was constructed for categorical dependent variables to see associations between predictors and outcomes. Results:In current study parameterslike red blood cells count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, platelets count,and eosinophil countswere significantly lowered in malaria-infected patients. In the current study, the prevalence of anemia was 39.5% (95% CI: 30.8-48.2). The prevalence of thrombocytopenia also was 56.3% (95% CI= 47.4 - 65.2). The odds of developing thrombocytopenia with low parasitemia level of malaria infected patients were 88.1% less likely that of high parasitemia level (AOR=0.119, 95 %CI=0.035, 0.404). Conclusion:Of the examined patients’ one out of nearly three were anemic by malaria infection.Higher frequency of mild-to-severe thrombocytopenia is observed in patients suffering from malaria. Prediction of the hematological changes enables the clinician to establish an effective and early therapeutic intervention in order to prevent the occurrence of major complications.Further longitudinal study should be conducted. Moreover, Health extension workers should be created awareness about the dangerousness of malaria to be early diagnosed before developing of anemia or hematological changes in general.