Malaria signs and infection rate among asymptomatic schoolchildren in Hajr valley, Yemen

This study recorded malaria signs and the rate of parasitaemia among asymptomatic schoolchildren in Hajr valley, Hadhramout governorate, Yemen. Tests were made for malaria parassites and anaemia in 469 randomly selected primary-school children aged 6–11 years, together with clinical examination to determine spleen size, and interviews to study sociodemographic factors. Of the children, 12.8% had positive malaria blood films and 11.3% had spleen enlargement. There were significant associations between malaria infection, anaemia and splenomegaly and fever. Children with malaria parasitaemia were more often absent from school.