Table 3 Comparison of the parasite prevalence, parasite density and the MOI in different age groups and haemoglobin (Hb) phenotypes

Parasite prevalence n(%)

Microscopy

5 (3.5%)

11 (11%)

11(14%)

0.018

19 (7.5%)

8 (13.5%)

NS

PCR

12 (8.8%)

18 (17%)

21(26%)

0.002

40 (15.5%)

11 (19%)

NS

Geometric mean parasite density (p/μl)

1,246

3,442

3,024

NS

4,052

2,081

NS

Mean MOI

1.3

1.3

1.2

NS

1.3

1.4

NS

Proportion of multiple infections*

4/12(33.3%)

5/18(27.8%)

4/21(19%)

NS

8/40(19%)

3/11(27%)

NS