Prevalence and risk factors associated with malaria infection among pregnant women in a semi-urban community of north-western Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Malaria during pregnancy remains a serious public health problem, with substantial risks for the mother, her foetus and the newborn. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria and possible risk factors for malaria infection among pregnant women in a semi-urban area in north-western Nigeria. Pregnant women are among the most susceptible to malaria infection. Knowledge of their malaria infection status is an important yardstick to measure the effectiveness of any malaria control programme.


METHODS
We conducted a cross sectional study in the semi-urban area of Argungu, Kebbi State Nigeria. Two hundred and fifty five pregnant women were included in the study after informed verbal consent was obtained. For each participant, the socio-demographic profile, stage of pregnancy and attitude to the use of insecticide- treated nets (ITNs) were investigated using a questionnaire. Peripheral blood samples were collected and thick blood smears were prepared and stained with Giemsa stains to check for malaria parasitaemia. The associations between age, education level and use of ITNs with occurrence of malaria infection during pregnancy were analysed using the chi-square test.


RESULTS
One hundred and six (41.6%) out of 255 pregnant women were infected with malaria parasites, with a mean parasite density of 800 parasitesμl(-1). It was found that prevalence and parasite density decreased as age increased. The chi-square test indicated that a lack of education and non-usage of ITNs were significantly associated with malaria infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Malaria is still a major public health issue among pregnant women mainly due to illiteracy and non -compliance to using ITNs. Increasing awareness about malaria preventive measures and early attendance of antenatal care services will help to reduce malaria and, consequently, its associated morbidities and mortalities.
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, UsmanuDanfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
Sani Abdullahi
SA
Fana
Department of Biological Sciences, UsmanuDanfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
Mohammed Danladi Abubakar
MD
Bunza
Department of Biological Sciences, UsmanuDanfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
Sule Aliyu
SA
Anka
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, UsmanuDanfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
Asiya Umar
AU
Imam
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, UsmanuDanfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
Shehu Usman
SU
Nataala
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D009549:Nigeria; D010961:Plasmodium; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013383:Suburban Population; D055815:Young Adult
Argungu; Giemsa stain; Malaria; Mean parasite density; Pregnant women; Prevalence; Risk factors