Prevalence of malaria among individuals living with lymphedema in Kamwenge District, Western Uganda

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dc.contributor.authorMwesigye, Vicent
dc.contributor.authorTebulwa, Joanita Berytah
dc.contributor.authorMusinguzi, Benson
dc.contributor.authorMuzafaru, Twinomujuni
dc.contributor.authorZamarano, Henry
dc.contributor.authorBagenda, Charles Nkubi
dc.contributor.authorMulogo, Edgar
dc.contributor.authorByarugaba, Frederick
dc.contributor.authorHerbert, Itabangi
dc.date.accessioned2025-10-04T18:10:06Z
dc.date.available2025-10-04T18:10:06Z
dc.date.issued2025-10-02
dc.description.abstractLymphedema, also known as elephantiasis, is a long-term and often debilitating condition characterized by the progressive swelling of limbs due to poor lymphatic drainage. While lymphatic filariasis, a mosquito-borne disease, is a common infectious cause globally, non-infectious forms such as podoconiosis resulting from prolonged exposure to mineral-rich soils are also prevalent in many low-resource, endemic regions. In areas where both malaria and lymphedema occur, malaria may further affect individuals already suffering from chronic swelling. In Kamwenge District, Western Uganda, lymphedema is a recognized public health concern, yet the contributing factors remain poorly understood. This lack of clarity complicates effective diagnosis, treatment, and disease control. This study aimed to assess the presence of malaria among individuals living with lymphedema in this setting. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 154 individuals with clinically confirmed lymphedema, recruited through purposive sampling from Rukunyu Hospital and surrounding communities. Data collection involved structured interviews, physical examinations, and venous blood sampling. Malaria infection was determined through microscopic examination of blood smears. Of the 154 participants, 71.4% were female, with an average age of 54.7 years. Plasmodium falciparum was detected in 3.3% (n=5) of the individuals. The majority (96.8%) had bilateral lower limb lymphedema and resided in rural areas, primarily engaged in subsistence farming. The presence of malaria among individuals with lymphedema highlights the need for integrated healthcare approaches in areas where multiple parasitic diseases are endemic. Although malaria was detected in a small portion of participants, its occurrence alongside lymphedema underscores the importance of continued disease surveillance, targeted interventions, and community education to support affected populations.
dc.identifier.citationMwesigye, V., Tebulwa, J. B., Musinguzi, B., Muzafaru, T., Zamarano, H., Bagenda, C. N., ... & Herbaert, I. (2025). Prevalence of malaria among individuals living with lymphedema in Kamwenge District, Western Uganda. Cureus, 17(10). https://dir.muni.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12260/780
dc.identifier.issn2168-8184
dc.identifier.urihttps://dir.muni.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12260/780
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSpringer Nature
dc.subjectChronic swelling
dc.subjectlephantiasis
dc.subjectKamwenge district
dc.subjectLymphedema
dc.subjectMalaria
dc.subjectPodoconiosis
dc.subjectPublic health
dc.subjectRural health
dc.subjectUganda
dc.titlePrevalence of malaria among individuals living with lymphedema in Kamwenge District, Western Uganda
dc.typeArticle

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