Publication: Long‑term impact of childhood malaria infection on school performance among school children in a malaria endemic area along the Thai–Myanmar border
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Issued Date
2015
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eng
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Mahidol University
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BioMed Central
Bibliographic Citation
Malaria Journal. Vol.14, (2015), 401
Suggested Citation
Nutchavadee Vorasan, Wirichada Pan‑Ngum, Podjanee Jittamala, Wanchai Maneeboonyang, Prasert Rukmanee, Saranath Lawpoolsri Long‑term impact of childhood malaria infection on school performance among school children in a malaria endemic area along the Thai–Myanmar border. Malaria Journal. Vol.14, (2015), 401. doi:10.1186/s12936-015-0917-7 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/3082
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Title
Long‑term impact of childhood malaria infection on school performance among school children in a malaria endemic area along the Thai–Myanmar border
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Abstract
Background: Children represent a high-risk group for malaria worldwide. Among people in Thailand who have
malaria during childhood, some may have multiple malaria attacks during their lifetime. Malaria may affect neurological
cognition in children, resulting in short-term impairment of memory and language functions. However, little is
known regarding the long-term effects of malaria infection on cognitive function. This study examines the long-term
impact of malaria infection on school performance among school children living in a malaria-endemic area along the
Thai–Myanmar border.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among school children aged 6–17 years in a primary-secondary
school of a sub-district of Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. History of childhood malaria infection was obtained
from the medical records of the sole malaria clinic in the area. School performance was assessed by using scores for
the subjects Thai Language and Mathematics in 2014. Other variables, such as demographic characteristics, perinatal
history, nutritional status, and emotional intelligence, were also documented.
Results: A total of 457 students were included, 135 (30 %) of whom had a history of uncomplicated malaria infection.
About half of the malaria-infected children had suffered infection before the age of four years. The mean scores
for both Mathematics and Thai Language decreased in relation to the increasing number of malaria attacks. Most
students had their last malaria episode more than two years previously. The mean scores were not associated with
duration since the last malaria attack. The association between malaria infection and school performance was not
significant after adjusting for potential confounders, including gender, school absenteeism over a semester term, and
emotional intelligence.
Conclusions: This study characterizes the long-term consequences of uncomplicated malaria disease during childhood.
School performance was not associated with a history of malaria infection, considering that most students had
their last malaria infection more than two years previously. These findings indicate that the impact of uncomplicated
malaria infection on school performance may not be prolonged.