Table 1 Descriptive characteristics of the 37 studies included in the systematic review and meta-analysis.
Characteristics | n. (37 studies) | % |
|---|---|---|
Publication year | ||
Before 2000 | 10 | 27.03 |
2000–2009 | 6 | 16.22 |
2010–2019 | 16 | 43.24 |
2020–2023 | 5 | 13.51 |
Study designs | ||
Case–control study | 19 | 51.35 |
Cross-sectional study | 11 | 29.73 |
Cohort study | 6 | 16.22 |
Quasi-experimental study | 1 | 2.70 |
Study areas | ||
Asia | 16 | 43.24 |
India | 8 | 27.62 |
Thailand | 4 | 10.81 |
Turkey | 2 | 5.41 |
Indonesia | 1 | 2.70 |
Lao People’s Democratic Republic | 1 | 2.70 |
Africa | 17 | 45.95 |
Nigeria | 11 | 29.73 |
Sudan | 2 | 5.41 |
Gambia | 1 | 2.70 |
Ethiopia | 1 | 2.70 |
Cameroon | 1 | 2.70 |
Uganda | 1 | 2.70 |
Europe | 2 | 5.41 |
France | 1 | 2.70 |
Germany | 1 | 2.70 |
Oceania (Papua New Guinea) | 1 | 2.70 |
South America (Brazil) | 1 | 2.70 |
Plasmodium species | ||
P. falciparum | 27 | 72.97 |
P. vivax | 2 | 5.41 |
P. falciparum, P. vivax | 1 | 2.70 |
Not specified | 7 | 18.92 |
Participants | ||
Adults | 17 | 45.95 |
Children | 10 | 27.03 |
Children and adults | 6 | 16.22 |
Not specified | 4 | 10.81 |
Symptom | ||
Symptomatic malaria | 25 | 67.57 |
Asymptomatic malaria | 1 | 2.70 |
Symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria | 2 | 5.41 |
Not specified | 9 | 24.32 |
Methods for Plasmodium detection | ||
Microscopic method | 26 | 70.27 |
Microscopic method, RDT | 5 | 13.51 |
RDT | 1 | 2.70 |
Not specified | 5 | 13.51 |
Blood sample for albumin | ||
Serum | 22 | 59.46 |
Plasma | 12 | 32.43 |
Not specified | 3 | 8.11 |
