We conducted all-age point prevalence surveys to profile the severity and seasonality of @entity311 and @entity417 in Kassena-Nankana District of northern Ghana. Random cross-sectional surveys were timed to coincide with the end of low (May 2001) and high (November 2001) @entity311 transmission seasons and to yield information as to the potential value of haemoglobin (Hb) levels and parasitaemia as markers of @entity311 morbidity and/or @entity311 vaccine effect. Parasitaemia was found in 22% (515 of 2286) screened in May (dry-low transmission), and in 61% of the general population (1026 of 1676) screened in November (wet-high transmission). @entity311 prevalence in May ranged from 4% ( @entity1 <6 months and adults 50-60 years) to 54% ( @entity1 5-10 years). Age-specific @entity311 prevalence in November ranged from 38% (adults 50-60 years) to 82% ( @entity1 5-10 years). Differences between low- and high-transmission periods in the prevalence of severe @entity417 (SA) among young @entity1 (6-24 months) were unexpectedly comparable (low, 3.9%vs. high, 5.4%; P = 0.52) and greatly reduced from levels measured in this same community and age group in November 2000 (12.5%) and November 1996 (22.0%). Despite the lower frequency of @entity417 /SA in young @entity1 surveyed in 2001, it was still clear that this condition was strongly associated with parasitaemia and that @entity1 under 5 years of age experienced a significant drop in their mean Hb levels by the end of the high transmission season. Prevalence of parasitaemia was significantly lower (P < 0.01) among @entity1 and young @entity1 (<2 years) whose parents reported the use of bednets. There was a significantly lower risk of parasitaemia among @entity1 [odds ratio (OR) 6-8] and young @entity1 (OR 3-4) living in the central, more urbanized sector of the study area.

Seasonal profiles of malaria infection, XXXX , and bednet use among age groups and communities in northern Ghana.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['children', 'infants'] @entity311 :: ('MESH:D008288', 'Disease') :: ['Malaria', 'malaria'] @entity417 :: ('MESH:D000740', 'Disease') :: ['anaemia']
@entity417 :: (MESH:D000740,Disease) :: ['anaemia']
