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The indirect health effects of malaria estimated from health advantages of the sickle cell trait

Author

Listed:
  • Sophie Uyoga

    (KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme)

  • Alex W. Macharia

    (KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme)

  • Carolyne M. Ndila

    (KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme)

  • Gideon Nyutu

    (KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme)

  • Mohammed Shebe

    (KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme)

  • Kennedy O. Awuondo

    (KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme)

  • Neema Mturi

    (KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme)

  • Norbert Peshu

    (KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme)

  • Benjamin Tsofa

    (KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme)

  • J. Anthony G. Scott

    (KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme
    Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Kathryn Maitland

    (KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme
    Imperial College, St Mary’s Hospital)

  • Thomas N. Williams

    (KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme
    Imperial College, St Mary’s Hospital)

Abstract

Most estimates of the burden of malaria are based on its direct impacts; however, its true burden is likely to be greater because of its wider effects on overall health. Here we estimate the indirect impact of malaria on children’s health in a case-control study, using the sickle cell trait (HbAS), a condition associated with a high degree of specific malaria resistance, as a proxy indicator for an effective intervention. We estimate the odds ratios for HbAS among cases (all children admitted to Kilifi County Hospital during 2000–2004) versus community controls. As expected, HbAS protects strongly against malaria admissions (aOR 0.26; 95%CI 0.22–0.31), but it also protects against other syndromes, including neonatal conditions (aOR 0.79; 0.67–0.93), bacteraemia (aOR 0.69; 0.54–0.88) and severe malnutrition (aOR 0.67; 0.55–0.83). The wider health impacts of malaria should be considered when estimating the potential added benefits of effective malaria interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophie Uyoga & Alex W. Macharia & Carolyne M. Ndila & Gideon Nyutu & Mohammed Shebe & Kennedy O. Awuondo & Neema Mturi & Norbert Peshu & Benjamin Tsofa & J. Anthony G. Scott & Kathryn Maitland & Thoma, 2019. "The indirect health effects of malaria estimated from health advantages of the sickle cell trait," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-08775-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08775-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Cervellati, Matteo & Esposito, Elena & Sunde, Uwe & Yuan, Song, 2022. "Malaria and Chinese economic activities in Africa," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).

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