The Burden of Asymptomatic Malaria Infection in Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Exploring Barriers to Elimination and Prevention.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Malaria remains a major public health problem that continues to cause death in under-five children nearly every minute. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the pooled prevalence and predictors of asymptomatic malaria in children in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

Relevant studies were retrieved from Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Google Scholar, Gray Literature, Embase, and African Online Journal databases published between 2014 and 2024. Data quality was assessed by a tool developed by Hoy and colleagues and classified as low, moderate, or high risk of bias. We performed a random effects model and sub-group analysis by age group, region, and diagnostic methods. The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO (CRD42024584354

SUBMITTER: Asmelash D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11799456 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature