Profile of Malaria in Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Rural Community in Nigeria

Abstract

We evaluated the malaria burden in randomly selected pregnant women (PW) attending antenatal clinics in Abuja, Nigeria, to establish an association between pregnancies, malaria. Structured questionnaire was administered by the antenatal nursing staff and a research assistant. In total, 1400 pregnant women were screened between April and September 2004, and capillary blood samples were obtained and screened for malaria parasites in thin blood films and quantitative buffy coat analysis (QBC). In total, 1035 (73.9%) pregnant women were positive for Plasmodium falciparum; of which 578 (55.8%) were primigravidae; 299 (28.9%) second gravidae; and 158 (15.3%) were multigravidae, while 297 (28.7) were in their first trimester, 311 (30%) were in their second trimester, and 427 (41.3%) were in their third trimester. The highest prevalence of malaria parasite (31.6%) was found in those aged 26-30 years while the lowest prevalence (2.9%) occurred in those aged 41-46 years. Socio economically, prevalence of malaria parasite is highest in nonautomobile owners 84.4%, 66% in those with monthly income less than $100, and those living in vegetable thatched houses had 46.0%, while the lowest incidence (15.6%) was found in automobile owners. Of the 760 pregnant women who sought malaria treatment only 278 (34.2%) seek intervention in hospitals, while 59.4% got treatment outside the hospital or were on self medication. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of malaria in the population evaluated, and therefore underlines the need for urgent intervention through capacity building, implementation of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT), use of insecticides treated-nets (ITN) and effective case management of malaria illness. The delivery of these interventions through antenatal clinics in Nigeria is highly critical and needs to be encouraged; strategies that encourage pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics early and consistently need to be developed. It is also important to develop coherent and effective policies and tools to tackle malaria and poverty.

Prevalence of Malaria in Pregnant Women Attending Ante Natal Care at University of Port Harcourt Primary Health Care Centre Aluu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

“…parasitemia between the multigravidae and primigravidae could be attributed to acquired immune-efficiency of the multigravidae to malaria (Martνnez-Espinosa et al, 2000;BouyouAkotet et al, 2005;Opkere et al, 2010) as parity advances. Depressed immunity due to delayed antibody expression and/or lack of awareness on the necessary preventive measures in pregnancy could also be responsible for the increased malaria parasitemia in the primigravidae (Okwa, 2003;Okpere 2004;Bassey et al, 2007;Agomo et al, 2009). This study buttresses the significance of aggressive awareness campaigns on health education and family planning in the rural settings because effective health education at the grass root level would project the country faster in actualising her millennium development goal of health for all by the year 2020.…”

“…Naturally, indigenes of the study area readily acquire immunity due to repeated exposure to Plasmodium spp. of parasites (Bassey et al, 2007;Amoran et al, 2012), which declines as pregnancy set-in. (Amoran, 2012;Molina and Gonzalez, 2012).…”

The Effect of Mass Media Campaign on the Use of Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets among Pregnant Women in Nigeria

“…It is estimated that over 30 million women living in malaria-endemic parts of Africa become pregnant every year [4]. Malaria in pregnancy is responsible for 11% of maternal deaths in Nigeria [5].…”

“…Malaria during pregnancy is a major public health problem; it increases the risk of low birth weight (LBW) (<2500 g) and child morbidity and mortality during the first year of life by inducing intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity, infant anaemia, and maternal anaemia [ 1 – 3 ]. It is estimated that over 30 million women living in malaria-endemic parts of Africa become pregnant every year [ 4 ]. Malaria in pregnancy is responsible for 11% of maternal deaths in Nigeria [ 5 ].…”

Knowledge and Misconceptions about Malaria among Pregnant Women in a Post-Conflict Internally Displaced Persons' Camps in Gulu District, Northern Uganda

“…An estimated 30 million women living in malaria endemic areas of Africa become pregnant each year [ 1 ]. Pregnant women and their unborn children are vulnerable to malaria, which is a major cause of perinatal mortality, low birth weight, and maternal anaemia [ 2 ].…”