title: Asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia using rapid diagnostic test in unbooked pregnant women in rural Ondo-south district, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malaria is a major contributor of maternal and peri-natal morbidity and mortality. The disease may be asymptomatic despite sequestration of parasitized red blood cells in the placental micro-circulation with antecedent complications. In such condition, it may also be difficult to identify the malaria parasite by the peripheral blood film microscopy, thus the need for use of simple but reliable tool for malaria parasite diagnosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia using the Rapid Diagnostic Test in pregnant unbooked women seen in a primary health centre during a malaria control campaign programme in rural Ondo-south, District Nigeria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia was 25.9%. Only 3 (3.5%) of the 85 women had the long lasting insecticide-treated nets. There was no significant association between malaria parasitaemia, and the age group, parity and gestation age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the high prevalence of asymptomatic malaria in pregnancy, routine screening for malaria at booking and scaling-up of other malaria control strategies such as the use of long lasting insecticidal-treated nets and intermittent preventive therapy for pregnant women are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. damiannwaneri@yahoo.com
authors.forename: D U
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Nwaneri
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Adeleye
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Ande
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires