Risk Factors for Severe Malaria and Implementation of the New Malaria Vaccine in Children Under-5 Years: A Narrative Review

Malaria has remained a major global health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where young children, especially those under-5 years, are vulnerable. Mortality from malaria results mainly from the severe forms of the disease and several risk factors are known to increase the susceptibility...

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Main Authors: Vivian O. Onukwuli, Wilfred C. Ukemenam, Kenechukwu K. Iloh, Beckie N. Tagbo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-07-01
Series:International Journal of Medicine and Health Development
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_15_25
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author Vivian O. Onukwuli
Wilfred C. Ukemenam
Kenechukwu K. Iloh
Beckie N. Tagbo
author_facet Vivian O. Onukwuli
Wilfred C. Ukemenam
Kenechukwu K. Iloh
Beckie N. Tagbo
author_sort Vivian O. Onukwuli
collection DOAJ
description Malaria has remained a major global health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where young children, especially those under-5 years, are vulnerable. Mortality from malaria results mainly from the severe forms of the disease and several risk factors are known to increase the susceptibility of the under-fives to severe malaria. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and reference lists of relevant articles published in English between 2008 and 2023. Studies addressing the link between obesity and periodontal disease were selected, critically reviewed, and synthesized in a narrative format. Malaria is preventable and treatable. Improvements in its control interventions have resulted in considerable reductions in morbidity and mortality associated with malaria in parts of Africa. However, malaria continues to pose a significant public health threat. The newly introduced malaria vaccine, when deployed in combination with other current malaria control tools, could play an essential role in reducing the prevalence of malaria and ultimately improve the morbidity and mortality from this reemerging infectious disease. Implementing a malaria vaccine in children in sub-Saharan Africa is a critical public health intervention. This work reviewed the risk factors for severe malaria and analyzed the prospects and challenges of implementing a malaria vaccine, which holds great promise for reducing the burden of this deadly disease in children under-5 years.
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institution Kabale University
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publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
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series International Journal of Medicine and Health Development
spelling doaj-art-0e244e8bbd3f4534b3c1e6e95052c42e2025-08-20T03:33:54ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsInternational Journal of Medicine and Health Development2635-36952667-28632025-07-0130321221910.4103/ijmh.ijmh_15_25Risk Factors for Severe Malaria and Implementation of the New Malaria Vaccine in Children Under-5 Years: A Narrative ReviewVivian O. OnukwuliWilfred C. UkemenamKenechukwu K. IlohBeckie N. TagboMalaria has remained a major global health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where young children, especially those under-5 years, are vulnerable. Mortality from malaria results mainly from the severe forms of the disease and several risk factors are known to increase the susceptibility of the under-fives to severe malaria. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and reference lists of relevant articles published in English between 2008 and 2023. Studies addressing the link between obesity and periodontal disease were selected, critically reviewed, and synthesized in a narrative format. Malaria is preventable and treatable. Improvements in its control interventions have resulted in considerable reductions in morbidity and mortality associated with malaria in parts of Africa. However, malaria continues to pose a significant public health threat. The newly introduced malaria vaccine, when deployed in combination with other current malaria control tools, could play an essential role in reducing the prevalence of malaria and ultimately improve the morbidity and mortality from this reemerging infectious disease. Implementing a malaria vaccine in children in sub-Saharan Africa is a critical public health intervention. This work reviewed the risk factors for severe malaria and analyzed the prospects and challenges of implementing a malaria vaccine, which holds great promise for reducing the burden of this deadly disease in children under-5 years.https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_15_25risk factorssevere malariamalaria vaccineunder-five children
spellingShingle Vivian O. Onukwuli
Wilfred C. Ukemenam
Kenechukwu K. Iloh
Beckie N. Tagbo
Risk Factors for Severe Malaria and Implementation of the New Malaria Vaccine in Children Under-5 Years: A Narrative Review
International Journal of Medicine and Health Development
risk factors
severe malaria
malaria vaccine
under-five children
title Risk Factors for Severe Malaria and Implementation of the New Malaria Vaccine in Children Under-5 Years: A Narrative Review
title_full Risk Factors for Severe Malaria and Implementation of the New Malaria Vaccine in Children Under-5 Years: A Narrative Review
title_fullStr Risk Factors for Severe Malaria and Implementation of the New Malaria Vaccine in Children Under-5 Years: A Narrative Review
title_full_unstemmed Risk Factors for Severe Malaria and Implementation of the New Malaria Vaccine in Children Under-5 Years: A Narrative Review
title_short Risk Factors for Severe Malaria and Implementation of the New Malaria Vaccine in Children Under-5 Years: A Narrative Review
title_sort risk factors for severe malaria and implementation of the new malaria vaccine in children under 5 years a narrative review
topic risk factors
severe malaria
malaria vaccine
under-five children
url https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_15_25
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AT kenechukwukiloh riskfactorsforseveremalariaandimplementationofthenewmalariavaccineinchildrenunder5yearsanarrativereview
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