Malaria in adolescence: burden of disease, consequences, and opportunities for intervention.
The problem of malaria in adolescence has largely been overshadowed by the huge burden of disease in young children. A substantial number of adolescents are at risk from malaria infection, but the burden of disease and consequences of infection in this age-group have rarely been studied. Our understanding of specific risk factors and beneficial interventions for adolescents is also limited. Data show that, from an adolescent viewpoint, malaria is a common cause of clinical illness and a preventable cause of death, even in areas of stable malaria transmission. Younger adolescents might be at a higher risk than older adolescents, because of immunological and hormonal factors. There are limited data about the adverse consequences of malaria in non-pregnant adolescents. However, in pregnant adolescents, the consequences of malaria are of great concern and simple interventions might lead to a substantial benefit. Malaria infection in adolescents is an under-recognised problem, and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of malaria should have a high priority within adolescent health programmes.
Lalloo
David G
DG
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK. dlalloo@liv.ac.uk
Olukoya
Peju
P
Olliaro
Piero
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors