title: Prevalence of peripheral blood parasitaemia, anaemia and low birthweight among pregnant women in a suburban area in coastal Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malaria and anaemia have adverse effects in pregnant women and on the birth weight of infants in malaria endemic areas. P. falciparum malaria, the most virulent species continues to be a major health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was carried out to establish the prevalence of pregnancy-associated malaria and its associated consequences including maternal anaemia and low birthweight (LBW) deliveries and placental malaria among pregnant women in a sub-urban area in coastal Ghana.
  
  
  METHODS
  A facility-based investigation was carried out among 320 pregnant women seeking antenatal care in a hospital in suburban coastal Ghana. Information on the use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) and Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) were collected using a structured questionnaire at enrollment. Venous blood was collected for microscopy and screening for Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Haemoglobin concentration was obtained from an automatic blood analyzer. Placental smears and birth weight measurements were taken at delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia was 5%. The mean haemoglobin (Hb) level at registration was 11.44 g/dL (95% CI 11.29 - 11.80). Placental blood parasitaemia and low birthweight were 2.5% and 3% respectively. ITN possession was 31.6% with 5.4% usage. The IPTp coverage was 55%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of malaria and anaemia among the pregnant women were low at enrollment. Placental blood parasitaemia and LBW at delivery were also low. These are clear indications of the high coverage of the IPTp. Increase in ITN use will further improve birthweight outcomes and reduce placental malaria.
authors.affiliation: Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Department, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. BOX LG 13 Legon, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Judith Koryo
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.affiliation: Immunology Department Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of H College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. BOX LG 581 Legon, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Ofori
authors.affiliation: Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Department, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. BOX LG 13 Legon, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Isabella Akyinbah
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Quakyi
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health II, The University of Michigan, 109 Observatory Street, M5507, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA.
authors.forename: Mark Lee
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Immunology Department Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of H College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. BOX LG 581 Legon, Accra, Ghana ; Vaccine Research and Development, Immunization and Vaccines Development Cluster, Office of the Regional Director, WHO regional Office for Africa, Box 06 Djoue, Brazzaville, Congo.
authors.forename: Bartholomew Dicky
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Akanmori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000453:epidemiology; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D015995:Prevalence; D013383:Suburban Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: IPTp; ITNs; Malaria prevalence; anaemia; birthweight; pregnancy