Abstract
Background: Malaria in endemic countries is often asymptomatic during pregnancy, but it has substantial consequences for both the mother and her unborn baby. In Burkina Faso, the prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic malaria in pregnancy and its main consequence, anemia, during high and low malaria transmission seasons is underexplored at the household level.Methods: Data of 1751 pregnant women from October 2013 to March 2014 and 1931 pregnant women from April 2017 to June 2017 were drawn from two cross-sectional household surveys conducted in 24 health districts of Burkina Faso. Pregnant women were tested for malaria in their household after consenting. Asymptomatic carriage was defined as a positive result from malaria rapid diagnostic tests in the absence of malaria symptoms. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin level less than 11 g/dL.Results: Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria in pregnancy was estimated at 23.9% (95%CI: 20.2–28.0) during the high transmission season (October–November) in 2013. During the low transmission season, it was 12.7% (95%CI: 10.9–14.7) between December and March in 2013–2014 and halved (6.4%; 95%CI: 5.3–7.6) between April and June 2017. Anemia prevalence was estimated at 43.7% (95%CI: 39.3–48.3) during the high transmission season in 2013. During the low transmission season, it was 32.7% (95%CI: 30.1–35.5) between December and March 2013–2014 and 46.6% (95%CI: 44.3–48.9) between April and June, 2017.Conclusion: Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria in pregnancy was significantly higher during the high malaria transmission season while anemia prevalence was lower. Our study provides an opportunity to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic carriage and one of its main consequences, anemia, among pregnant women at the community level throughout the year. In order to mitigate the harmful effects of asymptomatic carriage for both the mother and fetus, health programs aimed at increasing the number of women coming into contact with health workers are necessary.
Therapeutic efficacy of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and chloroquine for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in pregnancy in Burkina Faso