This study assessed the level of malarial infection in relation to some epidemiological factors, gravidity and pregnancy period of antenatal clinic attendees of the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. We also assessed malarial infection in placental blood in relation to gravidity of pregnant women at delivery in the maternity clinic of the same hospital. Thin and thick blood films were prepared for microscopic examination. A questionnaire was administered to each pregnant woman at the antenatal clinic to collect data on educational level, occupation, gravidity, pregnancy period, malaria preventive measures and malaria symptoms. Of the 163 pregnant women examined at the antenatal clinic, 68.3% (111/163) were infected with malaria. Pregnant women that are illiterates (χ2=15.44, P=0.100) and those that are farmers (χ2=9.20, P=0.270) had the highest infection rate with no significant difference respectively. Malarial infection was significantly higher in the multigravidae, 57.6% (34/59) (χ2=5.16, P=0.007) and non-significant in the pregnant women at their third trimester of pregnancy, 60.9% (53/89) (χ2=4.45, P=0.108). Placental malaria was significantly higher in the primigravidae among pregnant women at delivery (χ2=9.33, P=0.000). A significant difference (χ2=33.52, P=0.000) was observed between pregnant women that did not use any malaria preventive methods, 91.2% (31/34) and those that used single, 64.3% (65/101) and combined, 46.4% (13/28) methods of prevention. Malaria remains highly prevalent among antenatal clinics attendees in Makurdi, Nigeria. Combined method of prevention (insecticides treated nets and insecticide spray) yielded good results and its use is advocated in preventing malaria among the pregnant women.
The study investigated the infection level and behavioural factors exposing rural inhabitants to urogenital schistosomiasis in Takum Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria. Filtration technique determined Schistosoma haematobium eggs from urine samples. Questionnaires collected socio-demographic characteristics and ponds/rivers/streams’ behavioural attitudes of participants. An infection of 41.1% was found. Sufa significantly had the highest infection (62.5%) (χ2 = 32.34, p = 0.001) as well as the age groups 1–10 years (47.2%) and 11–20 years (49.6%) (χ2 = 33.83, p = 0.001). Participants with non-formal education and farmers, respectively, had higher infection (45.7%) (χ2 = 12.08, p = 0.001) and (48.5%) (χ2 = 5.42, p = 0.020). Inhabitants who played in ponds/rivers/streams during dry season as well as those with non-formal education and farmers were more predisposed to infection with respective crude odds ratio (cOR) of 0.92 (%95CI: 0.81–1.50; p = 0.043), 0.55 (%95CI: 0.38–0.77; p = 0.001) and 0.80 (%95CI: 0.33–1.41; p = 0.002). Inhabitants were infected according to their wards as well as their age groups, education level, occupation level and behavioural activities. The federal and state governments should embark on public health education and control of the disease.
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