Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnant women attending antenatal care in Luanda, Angola

INTRODUCTION: Malaria during pregnancy remains a serious public health problem. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence and possible risk factors for malaria in pregnant women attending antenatal care at Augusto Ngangula Specialized General Hospital in Luanda, Angola. METHODS: Pregnant women (679 total) who attended antenatal care from April to September 2008 were included in the study after signing informed consent. For each participant, the social-demographic profile and malaria and obstetric histories were investigated via a questionnaire. Diagnosis was made by optic microscopy, and hemoglobin concentration measured. The associations between age, parity, gestational age, residence, schooling, malaria during gravity, anemia and treatment with incidence of Plasmodium falciparum infection were analyzed through logistic regression. RESULTS: During the period of study, 74 (10.9%) out of 679 women were infected by P. falciparum. The average concentration of hemoglobin was 11.1 ± 0.07g/dL, and there were significant associations between the history of malaria during pregnancy, P. falciparum infection (p<0.01) and anemia at the time of observation (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Previous history of malaria during pregnancy represents a risk factor for current infection and anemia was an important complication associated with malaria, even in women who were treated with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine during pregnancy.

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Plasmodium falciparum Infection is Associated with Epstein–Barr Virus Reactivation in Pregnant Women Living in Malaria Holoendemic Area of Western Kenya

Maternal and Child Health Journal ◽

10.1007/s10995-014-1546-4 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 606-614 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Ibrahim I. Daud ◽

Sidney Ogolla ◽

Asito S. Amolo ◽

Eunice Namuyenga ◽

Kenneth Simbiri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Epstein Barr Virus ◽

Falciparum Infection ◽

Virus Reactivation ◽

Western Kenya ◽

Barr Virus ◽

Plasmodium Falciparum Infection ◽

Epstein Barr ◽

Epstein Barr Virus Reactivation

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Prevalence of some hepatitis B virus markers among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Specialist Hospital Sokoto Nigeria

Human Antibodies ◽

10.3233/hab-200412 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 233-243

Author(s):

O. Erhabor ◽

S.Y. Mohammad ◽

L. Bello ◽

F.U. Onuigwe ◽

Y. Abdulrahman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Previous History ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Antenatal Clinic ◽

B Virus ◽

History Of ◽

Hepatitis B Virus Markers

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus infection is a global public health problem. The virus has infected more than one-third of the global population. It has been estimated that 360 million chronic carriers are living around the world with a high risk for developing cirrhosis, hepatic carcinoma and hepatic failure. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of some hepatitis B markers among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Sokoto Specialist Hospital, Nigeria. METHODS: The hepatitis testing was carried out using the Skytec-Rapid Diagnostic HBV-5 rapid kit (Skytec-Rapid Diagnostic, USA). The kit is based on lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, and HBcAb in human serum or plasma. Panel format can conveniently test for five targets at once and utilizes all markers to help distinguish between acute and chronic infections. RESULTS: Out of 117 pregnant women tested, 15 were positive for HBsAg (12.8%), 6 positive for HBsAb (5.1%), 1 for HBeAg (0.9%), 14 tested positive for HBeAb (12.0%), and 14 tested for HBcAb (12.0%). The prevalence of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBcAb and HBcAb was compared based on ethnicity. HBsAb was significantly higher among the Hausa ethnic group (p= 0.001). The prevalence of HBsAb, HBeAg, HBcAb and HBcAb was not affected by ethnicity (p> 0.05). The prevalence of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBcAb and HBcAb was compared based on age. Infection by the hepatitis B virus markers was higher among young adult and middle age groups. The difference was however not statistically significant (p> 0.05). The prevalence of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBcAb and HBcAb was compared based on the educational status, previous history of blood transfusion, jaundice, employment status and previous history of still births among the pregnant subjects. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus markers (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study observed a high prevalence of various hepatitis B viral markers among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Specialist Hospital Sokoto. There is need for routine screening of all pregnant women and infants born to hepatitis B positive mothers. Government and non-governmental organizations should intensify efforts to enlighten the general population on the public health importance of the disease and the importance of hepatitis screening. There is also need for the development of a treatment protocol for the management of pregnant women positive for hepatitis B to prevent mother to child transmission. There is an urgent need for the implementation of evidenced-based best practice of providing universal vaccination against hepatitis B for all hepatitis B negative women of child bearing age in particular and all Nigerians in general.

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Reproductive and Obstetric Factors Are Key Predictors of Maternal Anemia during Pregnancy in Ethiopia: Evidence from Demographic and Health Survey (2011)

Anemia ◽

10.1155/2015/649815 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Taddese Alemu ◽

Melaku Umeta

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Health Survey ◽

Health Problem ◽

Previous History ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Demographic And Health Survey ◽

Under Five ◽

History Of ◽

Anemia During Pregnancy

Anemia is a major public health problem worldwide. In Ethiopia, a nationally representative and consistent evidence is lacking on the prevalence and determinants during pregnancy. We conducted an in-depth analysis of demographic and health survey for the year 2011 which is a representative data collected from all regions in Ethiopia. Considering maternal anemia as an outcome variable, predicting variables from sociodemographic, household, and reproductive/obstetric characteristics were identified for analyses. Logistic regression model was applied to identify predictors atP<0.05. The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women was 23%. Maternal age, region, pregnancy trimester, number of under five children, previous history of abortion (termination of pregnancy), breastfeeding practices, and number of antenatal care visits were key independent predictors of anemia during pregnancy. In conclusion, the level of anemia during pregnancy is a moderate public health problem in Ethiopia. Yet, special preventive measures should be undertaken for pregnant women who are older in age and having too many under five children and previous history of abortion. Further evidence is expected to be generated concerning why pregnant mothers from the eastern part of the country and those with better access to radio disproportionately develop anemia more than their counterparts.

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Prevalence and Associated Factors of Self-Medication among Pregnant Women on Antenatal Care Follow-Up at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Reproductive Medicine ◽

10.1155/2020/2936862 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Faisel Dula Sema ◽

Deres Gezahegn Addis ◽

Eshetie Azezew Melese ◽

Demeke Dana Nassa ◽

Zemene Demelash Kifle

Keyword(s):

Antenatal Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Previous History ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Monthly Income ◽

Self Medication ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Specialized Hospital ◽

History Of

Background. Self-medication is being prevalent throughout the globe. Although pregnant women are among the most vulnerable group of the population for drug-induced adverse effects on their fetus and themselves, many pregnant women use self-medication without adequate safety precautions. Objective. This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence and associated factors of self-medication among pregnant women on antenatal care follow-up at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Methods. A cross-sectional study was employed among 400 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital between February 01 and May 30, 2019. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS® (IBM Corporation) version 22. Descriptive statistics were presented using frequency and proportion. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with self-medication with a 95% confidence level and p value of 0.05. Results. Among 400 respondents, the prevalence of self-medication during the current pregnancy was 44.8% (95% CI=40.5-50). Among all respondents (400), 38.0% (95% CI=33.3-42.8) and 12.5% (95% CI=9.5-15) used herbal and conventional medicine, respectively. Self-medication showed a significant association with a previous history of self-medication and monthly income. Conclusions. The prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women is considerably high. The previous history of self-medication and monthly income showed a significant association with self-medication. Awareness creation should be done for reproductive-age women on the potential risks of self-medication.

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Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum Infection (Malaria) Among Pregnant Women Attending Primary Health Care in Wushishi

Journal of Biology and Life Science ◽

10.5296/jbls.v10i2.15344 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 147

Author(s):

Agholor Kin ◽

Lucy F. Olusola ◽

Idris Abubakar ◽

Yakubu Mahmud

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Primary Health Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Prevalence Rate ◽

Falciparum Infection ◽

Health Care Center ◽

Plasmodium Falciparum Infection ◽

Primary Health ◽

Test Kit

Plasmodium falciparum is the leading cause of malaria in pregnant women, a disease of public health importance especially in Nigeria where the infection is endemic. Hence, this study was conducted to ascertain the prevalent rate of Plasmodium falciparum infection among pregnant women attending antenatal in primary health care center, Wushishi Local Government, Niger state, Nigeria. 150 pregnant women were randomly selected and tested for P. falciparum using Plasmodium falciparum (05FK50) Rapid Diagnostic Test kit. The result obtained, revealed that 36 (24%) out of the 150 samples of the pregnant women were positive without any clinical manifestation of the infection. The result revealed that the prevalence rate was higher among women within 11-20 age group (43.8%) than those within 21-30 (17.4%) and 31 and above (9.0%). It was also observed from the study that prevalence rate was lower among women who use Insecticide Treated Net (6.5%) compared to those who does not (52.6%). Therefore the problem of Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnant women should be prevented by the use of insecticide treated nets and effective case management with appropriate antimalarial drug during antenatal clinical visits.

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