Malaria preventive practices and delivery outcomes: A cross-sectional study of parturient women in a tertiary hospital in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Background Uganda ranks third in the number of deaths attributable to malaria and has some of the highest recorded malaria transmission rates in the general population. Malaria in Pregnancy is associated with detrimental effects for the mother and unborn baby and these effects seem to have long term effects and consequences on the life of the baby. Despite the preventive measures put in place by the World Health Organization in antenatal care, the burden of malaria in pregnancy is still high. We determined the use of malaria preventive strategies during pregnancy and the presence of plasmodium infection, anemia, and low birth weight babies at delivery among parturient women at Mbale regional referral hospital in eastern Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 210 women delivering at MRRH between July 2017 and January 2018. Information on demographics, antenatal care, and prevention practices was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Maternal venous blood and cord blood samples were screened for Plasmodium infection by both microscopy of Giemsa-stained blood films and Plasmodium falciparum rapid diagnostic test (pf. HPR2 mRDT). Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was done on cord blood. The presence of anemia was determined by the use of an automated hemoglobin analyzer. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. Results Of the 210 women, 3 (1.4%) and 19(9.1%) tested positive for malaria by using Giemsa stained blood smear microscopy and malaria rapid diagnosticMRDT tests respectively. PCR detected 4(%) of Plasmodium in cord blood. Twenty-nine percent of the women had anaemia and 11 (5.2%) had low birth weight babies. Only 23.3% of the women received at

Prevalence of Malaria and Associated Factors among Delivering Mothers in Northwest Ethiopia

“…In the present study, the prevalence of maternal peripheral malaria was 6.4%. It is comparable with a study result reported in Northwest Colombia where it was 9.1% [ 5 ], but it is higher than a study finding of 1.4% in eastern Uganda [ 18 ]. On the other hand, the present finding is lower than a study result of 15.2% in Wolkitie, Southern Ethiopia, [ 15 ] and 37.8% in Sudan [ 19 ].…”

Congenital Malaria in a 2-Day-Old Neonate: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…Furthermore, it is estimated that 40 neonates per 1000 live births will experience clinical malaria during the first 7 days of life [ 10 ]. In Sub -Saharan Africa, the prevalence is estimated to be between 0 and 37% [ 4 ], while in Eastern Uganda, the prevalence of CM is reported to range from 4 to 6.1% [ 12 , 13 ].…”

“…The true burden of congenital malaria may be underestimated due to absence of routine screening of newborns with fever, low index of suspicion, absence of specific signs, and symptoms, coupled with the late symptom presentation. Only one-third (34%) of the affected neonates present within 72 hours of life [ 9 , 13 ]. This was the case with our patient who presented with CM within 48 hours of life.…”

“…Use of peripheral blood smear with microscopy is the routinely used diagnostic modality for diagnosis of malaria in developing countries [ 13 ], but with the introduction of malaria rapid diagnostic testing (MRDT), there has been found a useful alternative with good sensitivity and specificity for malaria diagnosis including pregnant women and newborns. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may have a higher sensitivity for CM.…”

“…Currently, it is estimated that there is a 33.7% global burden of congenital malaria [10] with Sub-Saharan Africa having a prevalence of 0 to 37% [11] and a prevalence of 4-6.1% in Eastern Uganda [12,13]. In order to reduce the malaria case incidence and death rate to at least 90%, the World Health Organisation (WHO) came up with Global Technical Strategy for Malaria, 2016-2030. e program launched in 2015 was geared towards eliminating malaria in at least 35 countries and to prevent its reintroduction in all countries that eliminated it [14].…”