Malaria in Infants: Effects of Breastfeeding and Vitamin A
Author Information
Author(s): Nankabirwa Victoria, Tylleskar Thorkild, Nankunda Jolly, Engebretsen Ingunn Marie S., Sommerfelt Halvor, Tumwine James K.
Primary Institution: Makerere University, Uganda
Hypothesis
Does peer counselling for exclusive breastfeeding and vitamin A supplementation affect malaria parasitaemia in infants?
Conclusion
Peer counselling for exclusive breastfeeding did not decrease the prevalence of malaria parasitaemia, and children not receiving Vitamin A supplementation had a higher prevalence of malaria.
Supporting Evidence
- The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia was 11% in the intervention areas and 10% in the control areas.
- Infants not supplemented with Vitamin A had a higher prevalence of malaria compared to those who had been supplemented.
- Every unit increase in length-for-age Z scores was associated with a reduced prevalence in malaria among children supplemented with vitamin A.
Takeaway
This study looked at whether breastfeeding help and vitamin A could protect babies from malaria. It found that breastfeeding help didn't work, and babies who didn't get vitamin A were more likely to get malaria.
Methodology
A cluster randomized trial was conducted in Eastern Uganda, where 12 clusters received peer counselling for exclusive breastfeeding and 12 served as controls. Blood samples were collected from 483 infants to test for malaria parasitaemia.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the inability to fully blind participants and data collectors in a community trial.
Limitations
The study's generalizability is limited as clusters were close to main roads, and the diagnosis of malaria was based on microscopy, which has low sensitivity.
Participant Demographics
Infants aged 3 to 12 months, with a mean maternal age of 25 years and an average of 6 years of formal education.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.9, 3.3
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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