Published in PLOS One on 2026-02-23, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Eulalie Wendingouda Compaore, Paul Sondo, Bérenger Kabore, Toussaint Rouamba, Amélé Fifi Chantal Kouevi, Ipéné Mylène Carenne Bayala, Sié A Elisée Kambou, Kié Solange Millogo, Ismaïla Bouda, Delwendé Florence Ouedraogo, So-vii Franck Hien, Adama Kazienga, Karim Derra, Eli Rouamba, Awa Gneme, Halidou Tinto
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0342237
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Malaria and malnutrition are major causes of childhood morbidity and mortality. Most of children receiving Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) are also generally malnourished during SMC delivery period. This study aimed at assessing the risk of malaria infection in malnourished children, compared to children with an adequate nutritional status (ANS) during the delivery period of SMC intervention in the health district of Nanoro, Burkina Faso.
A longitudinal survey of children aged 6–59 months receiving SMC intervention was carried out between 2020 and 2022 in Nanoro, Burkina Faso. WHO online anthro survey tool was used to assess the nutritional status. Included children were stratified into two sub-groups as malnourished from the start of the first SMC round until one month after the last SMC round and those of ANS during that same period. In addition to the monthly home visits, all health care attendance were recorded for all participants. At each visit, socio-anthropometric data were collected. Blood smears were collected for malaria diagnosis by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and microscopy. The effect of the nutritional status on the occurrence of uncomplicated malaria was assessed using a negative binomial model, with results expressed as incidence risk ratio (IRR).
Out of the 425 children included this study, 260 were malnourished, while 165 children had an ANS. Malaria incidence per 1000 child-month were higher in undernutrition (974.47) than in ANS (214.47). Malnourished children were 1.41 times more likely to have t an episode of clinical malaria than children with ANS (IRR 1.42; 95% CI 1.03–1.94; p = 0.028).
There was an increased risk of malaria infection in undernourished children compared to children with an adequate nutritional status suggesting the need of combining SMC intervention with nutrients supplementation to achieve best impact for malaria control in food insecure areas.
Introduction
Malaria remains a major public health problem worldwide, with an estimated 269 million cases and 597,000 deaths in 2023 [1]. Africa alone accounted for 94% of malaria cases and 95% of malaria related deaths with children under 5 years t of age bearing the heaviest burden, accounting for up to 76% of these deaths [1]. In Burkina Faso, malaria remains a major health challenge with 9,967,712 cases and 3,385 malaria related deaths recorded in 2023. under5 years of age being the most affected with 3,380,291 cases and 2,216 deaths in 2023 [2]. To tackle this devastating disease, Burkina Faso has implemented several control strategies as per the world health organisation (WHO) recommendation, including the seasonal malaria chemoprevention(SMC) [3]. SMC is a large-scale community-based intervention consisting in a monthly administration of a complete dose of Amodiaquine (AQ)+Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) during the high transmission season, to children aged 3–59 months [3,4]. SMC is a reliable intervention with promising results at evaluation phase leading up to 76% reduction of the incidence of uncomplicated malaria and by 42% the malaria-related mortality [5].
Reading this evidence
Use the full paper to check the study design, participant selection, comparator and outcome definitions before drawing a practical conclusion. An association does not by itself show cause and effect. A reported performance measure needs its denominator and uncertainty. A finding from a particular facility, sample or time period should retain that scope when it is discussed elsewhere.
This briefing makes the source accessible within the wider technology & industry desk. It does not assess an individual patient or certify a product. When considering relevance to another health system, examine the original authors’ account of context and limitations, then seek local implementation evidence. The related reporting below provides other studies to read alongside this one; it is a topic connection, rather than a claim that their results are directly comparable.
© 2026 Eulalie Wendingouda Compaore, Paul Sondo, Bérenger Kabore, Toussaint Rouamba, Amélé Fifi Chantal Kouevi, Ipéné Mylène Carenne Bayala, Sié A Elisée Kambou, Kié Solange Millogo, Ismaïla Bouda, Delwendé Florence Ouedraogo, So-vii Franck Hien, Adama Kazienga, Karim Derra, Eli Rouamba, Awa Gneme, Halidou Tinto. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
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- Evidence brief: Improving the field accuracy of a malaria diagnostic algorithm combining sequential interpretation of rapid diagnostic test detecting PfHRP2 and pLDH in febrile children in a seasonal hyperendemic malaria transmission area in Burkina Faso
- Evidence brief: A cost analysis comparing seasonal malaria chemoprevention with and without Vitamin A supplementation among under-5 children in Nigeria
- Evidence brief: Exploring spatial variation and multilevel modeling of malaria prevalence among children aged 6-59 months based on RDT in Niger: Insights for public health decision-making
