STUDY ON AGE DISTRIBUTION OF PLASMODIUM INFECTION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN

Esimai Bessie Nonyelum*, Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi and Njoku O. O.

ABSTRACT

The study was done to determine the prevalence of malaria infection among the pregnant women in Enugu Metroplis based on age pattern. Eight hundred pregnant women of the study population and residents of Enugu, who attended antenatal clinics of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and mother of Christ Hospital both in Enugu metropolis were assessed parasitoloically to determine the prevalence of Plasmodium infections. The study showed that pregnant women of the age group 21-30 years had the highest prevalence of malaria (25.8%), followed by 11-20 years (21.7%), 31-40 years (10.6%), 41-50years(8.6%), 51-60 years and 0-10years had (0.0%) respectively. The work showed that age group of 21-30 years were more exposed to infected mosquitoe bites and probably had low immunity, and was followed by age group 11-20 years. Women of reproductive ages of 21-30 years should receive adequate medical care with special malaria control measures to prevent and reduce complications of malaria in pregnancy. The study provided a guide to aid the gynecologists during antenatal visits, as to ensure safe deliveries of babies and to reduce the rate of morbidity and mortality among pregnant women.

Keywords: age distribution, Plasmodium infection, pregnant women.