Plasma zinc and severity of malaria in children less than five years of age at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

Abstract

Background Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Dar es Salaam. It has undergone a dramatic resurgence in recent years and children less than five years of age are the most vulnerable. The role of zinc and its severity has not been elucidated. Oral zinc supplementation has been shown to reduce substantially the episodes of severe malaria and frequency of health facility attendance. Study Objective The overall objective of this study was to assess plasma zinc levels and risk factors associated with severity of malaria in children less than five years of age admitted at Muhimbili National Hospital and those attending a Maternal and Child Health Clinic (MCH) of city council of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Study design It was an unmatched case control study with a ratio of 1:2 (one case with two arms of controls). Study setting This study was conducted in the General Paediatric wards, General Paediatric Outpatient clinic of MNH and at Mnazi Mmoja MCH clinic of Dares Salaam city council.