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Additional file 13: Figure S5. Meta-analysis of studies that estimated the prevalence of 25(OH)D levels

Additional file 4: Table S3. Multivariable logistic regression analyses of factors associated with low vitamin D status in each country. This is a table showing odd ratios (with their corresponding 95% CIs and p values) from multivariable logistic regression analyses.

CONSORT checklist. (PDF 89 kb)

Additional file 5: Table S4. Univariable linear regression of 25(OH)D concentrations by study variables in each country. This is a table of univariable linear regression coefficients (with 95% CI) and p values presented by country.

Supplementary Appendix. (PDF 102 kb)

Background In Africa the burden of malaria in pregnancy is highest in rural areas. In many Sub-Saharan African countries, IPTp/SP is being adopted to replace chloroquine (CQ) chemoprophylaxis shown to be inefficacious. Many publications showed a very poor compliance with CQ chemoprophylaxis among pregnant women and might explain the failure of this preventive strategy rather than increased levels of CQ resistance. In this study, we compare three approaches of IPTp/SP delivery to pregnant women in term of improving coverage and compliance. These three approaches are: i) Passive health centre services, ii) Extended delivery outreach services, iii) Community based distribution delivery approach.

Additional file 6: Table S5. Multivariable regression of 25(OH)D concentrations by study variables in each country. This is a table of multivariable linear regression coefficients (with 95% CI) and p values presented by country.

Additional file 12: Figure S4. Meta-analysis of studies that estimated the prevalence of 25(OH)D levels

Additional file 2: Table S1. Databases search keywords. This table includes keywords used systematically search PubMed and Embase for articles of studies that measured vitamin D status in young children.

Malariometric information is needed to decide how to introduce malaria vaccines and evaluate their impact in sub-Saharan African countries. This cross-sectional study (NCT01954264) was conducted between October and November, 2013, corresponding to the high malaria transmission season, in four sites with Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (DSS) [two sites with moderate-to-high malaria endemicity in Burkina Faso (Nouna and Sapone) and two sites with low malaria endemicity in Senegal (Keur Soce and Niakhar)]. Children (N = 2421) were randomly selected from the DSS lists of the study sites and were stratified into two age groups (6 months–4 years and 5–9 years). A blood sample was collected from each child to evaluate parasite prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and other Plasmodium species and gametocyte density by microscopy, and rapid diagnosis test in the event of fever within 24 h. Case report forms were used to evaluate malaria control measures and other factors. Plasmodium falciparum was identified in 707 (29.2%) children, with a higher prevalence in Burkina Faso than Senegal (57.5 vs 0.9% of children). In Burkina Faso, prevalence was 57.7% in Nouna and 41.9% in Sapone in the 6 months–4 years age group, and 75.4% in Nouna and 70.1% in Sapone in the 5–9 years age group. Infections with other Plasmodium species were rare and only detected in Burkina Faso. While mosquito nets were used by 88.6–97.0 and 64.7–80.2% of children in Burkina Faso and Senegal, other malaria control measures evaluated at individual level were uncommon. In Burkina Faso, exploratory analyses suggested that use of malaria treatment or any other medication within 14 days, and use of insecticide spray within 7 days decreased the prevalence of malaria infection; older age, rural residence, natural floor, grass/palm roof, and unavailability of electricity in the house were factors associated with increased malaria occurrence. Plasmodium falciparum infection prevalence in children younger than 10 years was 57.5% in Burkina Faso and 0.9% in Senegal, and variability was observed, among others, by age, study site and malaria control measures.

Background Fulani ethnic group individuals are less susceptible than sympatric Mossi ethnic group, in term of malaria infection severity, and differ in antibody production against malaria antigens. The differences in susceptibility to malaria between Fulani and Mossi ethnic groups are thought to be regulated by different genetic backgrounds and offer the opportunity to compare haematological parameters, Tregs and γδT cell profiles in seasonal and stable malaria transmission settings in Burkina Faso. The study was conducted at two different time points i.e. during the high and low malaria transmission period. Results Two cross-sectional surveys were undertaken in adults above 20 years belonging either to the Fulani or the Mossi ethnic groups 1) at the peak of the malaria transmission season and 2) during the middle of the low malaria transmission season. Full blood counts, proportions of Tregs and γδ T cells were measured at both time-points. As previously shown the Fulani and Mossi ethnic groups showed a consistent difference in P. falciparum infection rates and parasite load. Differential white blood cell counts showed that the absolute lymphocyte counts were higher in the Mossi than in the Fulani ethnic group at both time points. While the proportion of CD4+CD25high was higher in the Fulani ethnic group at the peak of malaria transmission season (p = 0.03), no clear pattern emerged for T regulatory cells expressing FoxP3+ and CD127low. However CD3+γδ+ subpopulations were found to be higher in the Fulani compared to the Mossi ethnic group, and this difference was statistically significant at both time-points (p = 0.004 at low transmission season and p = 0.04 at peak of transmission). Conclusion Our findings on regulatory T cell phenotypes suggest an interesting role for immune regulatory mechanisms in response to malaria. The study also suggests that TCRγδ + cells might contribute to the protection against malaria in the Fulani ethnic group involving their reported parasite inhibitory activities.