Astrina Rosaria Indah
Malaria remains a major public health problem in Papua, Indonesia, with a high incidence rate and significant hematological complications. One of the main impacts of malaria infection is anemia caused by a decrease in hemoglobin levels. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between hemoglobin levels and malaria parasite species among patients at Sentani Health Center, Jayapura Regency. This was an analytical study with a cross-sectional approach. A total of 50 malaria-positive patients confirmed by microscopic examination were included as samples. Data collected included gender, parasite species, nutritional status, hemoglobin level, and parasite count, analyzed using the Chi-Square test with a 95% confidence level (α=0.05). The results showed that most respondents were male (54%) and predominantly infected by Plasmodium falciparum (66%). The majority had normal nutritional status (40%), and the distribution between normal and abnormal hemoglobin levels was equal (50% each). Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between body mass index and hemoglobin level (p=0.03), but no significant relationship between parasite species and hemoglobin level (p=0.145). These findings indicate that nutritional status plays a more dominant role in determining hemoglobin levels than parasite species variation. In conclusion, anemia among malaria patients in endemic regions is influenced not only by the infecting Plasmodium species but also by individual nutritional factors. Integrated interventions focusing on nutritional improvement and malaria control are essential to reduce anemia risk in endemic areas such as Papua. Malaria remains a major public health problem in Papua, Indonesia, with a high incidence rate and significant hematological complications. One of the main impacts of malaria infection is anemia caused by a decrease in hemoglobin levels. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between hemoglobin levels and malaria parasite species among patients at Sentani Health Center, Jayapura Regency. This was an analytical study with a cross-sectional approach. A total of 50 malaria-positive patients confirmed by microscopic examination were included as samples. Data collected included gender, parasite species, nutritional status, hemoglobin level, and parasite count, analyzed using the Chi-Square test with a 95% confidence level (α=0.05). The results showed that most respondents were male (54%) and predominantly infected by Plasmodium falciparum (66%). The majority had normal nutritional status (40%), and the distribution between normal and abnormal hemoglobin levels was equal (50% each). Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between body mass index and hemoglobin level (p=0.03), but no significant relationship between parasite species and hemoglobin level (p=0.145). These findings indicate that nutritional status plays a more dominant role in determining hemoglobin levels than parasite species variation. In conclusion, anemia among malaria patients in endemic regions is influenced not only by the infecting Plasmodium species but also by individual nutritional factors. Integrated interventions focusing on nutritional improvement and malaria control are essential to reduce anemia risk in endemic areas such as Papua.