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Research ArticleOriginal Article
Open Access

Epidemiological profile of malaria in a University Hospital in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia

Layla A. Bashwari, Ahmed M. Mandil, Ahmed A. Bahnassy, Mariam A. Al-Shamsi and Huda A. Bukhari
Saudi Medical Journal February 2001, 22 (2) 133-138;
Layla A. Bashwari
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel & Fax. +966 (3) 8786387.
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Ahmed M. Mandil
Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Ahmed A. Bahnassy
Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Mariam A. Al-Shamsi
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Huda A. Bukhari
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiological, clinical and hematological profile of laboratory-diagnosed malaria cases at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, during the period from January 1990 to December 1999, and to provide suitable recommendations accordingly.

METHODS: This was a clinical case series study of confirmed cases presenting to King Fahd Hospital of the Univeristy during the period from January 1990 to December 1999. A specially designed form was used for data collection and 602, laboratory-confirmed cases of malaria were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS: There were 602 cases with a mean age of 25.8 + 14.3 and a male to female ratio of 2.9:1. Less than half the cases were Saudis (42%), most of whom (93%) reported a history of travel to the Southwestern part of the Kingdom. The highest frequency of cases was observed in the years 1992, 1994 and 1998 and 40% of the cases were diagnosed during the months of February, March and September. Plasmodium falciparum was the most common species among Saudi (83%), Sudanese (72%) and Yemeni (64%) patients, while Plasmodium vivax was predominant among others. Most of these cases (75%) had a history of travel to their home countries (endemic areas). The most common clinical presentation was fever (97%), while the most common clinical signs were splenomegaly (9%) and jaundice (8%). Anemia (60%) and thrombocytopenia (53%) were the most common hematological findings.

CONCLUSION: Although it appears that the Eastern Province is still free of indigenous malaria transmission, this could not be confirmed by the data. Imported cases, however represent a continuous threat due to the existence of such vectors as Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles fluviatilis, Anopheles sergentii and Anopheles superpictus and a large number of non-immune persons. It is recommended that malaria be always considered in the differential diagnosis of all acute fevers, especially among those with a history of travel to an endemic area. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is necessary. Chemoprophylaxis, when traveling to endemic areas is mandatory, as well as the use of other primary preventive measures to protect against mosquito bites.

  • Copyright: © Saudi Medical Journal

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Saudi Medical Journal: 22 (2)
Saudi Medical Journal
Vol. 22, Issue 2
1 Feb 2001
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Epidemiological profile of malaria in a University Hospital in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia
Layla A. Bashwari, Ahmed M. Mandil, Ahmed A. Bahnassy, Mariam A. Al-Shamsi, Huda A. Bukhari
Saudi Medical Journal Feb 2001, 22 (2) 133-138;

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Epidemiological profile of malaria in a University Hospital in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia
Layla A. Bashwari, Ahmed M. Mandil, Ahmed A. Bahnassy, Mariam A. Al-Shamsi, Huda A. Bukhari
Saudi Medical Journal Feb 2001, 22 (2) 133-138;
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© 2023 Saudi Medical Journal Saudi Medical Journal is copyright under the Berne Convention and the International Copyright Convention.  Saudi Medical Journal is an Open Access journal and articles published are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (CC BY-NC). Readers may copy, distribute, and display the work for non-commercial purposes with the proper citation of the original work. Electronic ISSN 1658-3175. Print ISSN 0379-5284.

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