MALARIA IN PREGNANCY A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PREGNANT WOMEN IN TWO HOSPITALS

Amala Smart Enoch* and Konne Oroma Ethel

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of malaria among pregnant women was determined in Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) and Bori General Hospital (BGH) by direct examination of stained blood smear using Giemsa method. A total of 200 pregnant women were examined from each hospital and 100 non-pregnant women were used as control subjects. The prevalence of malaria among pregnant women was 27.5% and 35.0% for BMSH and BGH respectively. The prevalence of malaria among non-pregnant subjects was 15.0%. The prevalence of malaria by educational status showed that those with primary/secondary education had prevalence of 10% and 28% from BMSH and BGH respectvely, while those with tertiary education had prevalence of 17.5% and 6.5% in BMSH and BGH respectively. The prevalence of malaria among pregnant women using insecticide treated nets (INTs) was 21% and those who do not 6.5%, from BMSH, whereas from BGH, non-user of INTs had prevalence of 30.0% and user 5.0% respectively. The prevalence of malaria by ABO blood group among pregnant women in both hospitals showed that O had high level parasitemia, (BMSH 16.5% and BGH 19.0%) respectively. The prevalence of malaria by haemoglobin genotype, AA had high infestation rate compared to genotype AS. Measures aimed at controlling and eliminate malaria should be intensified, especially the use of INTs orLLNs that has been shown to reduce the prevalence of malaria; considering the burden malaria places on pregnant women and fetus in malaria endemic areas.

Keywords: Comparative, Study, Malaria, Pregnancy.