Clinical Overlap Between Malaria and Dengue: Symptoms, Misdiagnosis During 2024-2025, and Prevalence at Abo Jubayhah Hospital
Clinical Overlap Between Malaria and Dengue: Symptoms, Misdiagnosis During 2024-2025, and Prevalence at Abo Jubayhah Hospital
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Date
2025
Authors
Rayan Awad Ali Abdalaziz
Amna Alsharif Abdallah
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Publisher
Napata College
Abstract
Background: Malaria and dengue fever are co-endemic vector-borne diseases with
overlapping clinical features, often leading to misdiagnosis, especially in resource-limited
settings.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the frequency of misdiagnosis between malaria and dengue
fever among physicians, and to identify contributing factors.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted In Abu Jubayhah locality,
South Kordofan State, Sudan, involving 50 physicians from various medical institutions
between April and May 2025. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and
analyzed descriptively by SPSS.
Results: The highest age group was 55–65 years (28.0%), with males representing the majority
(60.0%). Consultants (24.0%) and family medicine specialists (34.0%) were the most
represented. Most physicians worked in health centers (44.0%) and had 15–20 years of
experience (28.0%). Half of the respondents reported managing more than 20 malaria cases
monthly (50.0%), and 28.0% managed 15 dengue cases monthly. Co-infections were
encountered more than 10 times by 26.0% of respondents. Diagnosis was considered
moderately difficult by 52.0%, and misdiagnosis occurred more than 10 times in 30.0% of
cases. Similar clinical symptoms (90.0%) and reliance on clinical diagnosis (82.0%) were the
most cited causes of misdiagnosis.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that physicians commonly face challenges in
accurately diagnosing malaria and dengue fever, with a considerable number reporting frequent
misdiagnosis and co-infections. The findings highlight the diagnostic complexity posed by
overlapping clinical symptoms, co-endemicity, and a reliance on clinical judgment over
laboratory confirmation.
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Napata College