scholarly journals Malaria in Pregnancy: Prevalence and Risk Factors in the Mamfe Health District, Cameroon

Author(s):  
Felix Amate Elime ◽  
N. Rene Nkenyi ◽  
Luis Ako-Egbe ◽  
Ann Njunda ◽  
Dickson Nsagha

Background and Aim: Malaria remains a major public health problem and a global threat to humanity especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In a bit to combat malaria in Cameroon, about 8million Cameroonian received the insecticide treating nets (ITNs) in 2011. However, hospital based reported prevalence of malaria still remains high. Our objective was to determine the community based prevalence and possible risk factors of malaria in pregnancy in the Mamfe health district, south west region-Cameroon. Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study involving 269 pregnant women in the Mamfe health district of Cameroon. Three out of the 5 health areas were randomly selected and pregnant women were later sampled by convenience and an interviewer administered questionnaire was done. Also rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for malaria was done for all the participants. Data was analysed using Epi info version 3.5.4 at a level of error of 5%. Results: Of the 269 pregnant women who took part in the study, 106 (39.6%) were positive for malaria. Risk factors associated with developing malaria among them were: presence of mosquito breeding sites (OR=0.001, 95%CI; 0.02-0.27, p-value=0.001), not sleeping under Insecticide treated nets(ITNs) (OR=0.01, 95%CI; 0.01-0.03, p-value=0.001), bushes around houses (OR=0.24, 95%CI; 0.07-0.79, p-value=0.02) and not taking intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) (OR=0.08, 95%CI; 0.01-0.49 p-value=0.01). Majority of participant knew malaria can be prevented by sleeping under ITNs 75% (95%CI; 69.9-80.5) and uptake of IPT 23.8% (95%CI; 18.8-29.2). Conclusion: Prevalence of malaria in pregnancy in the Mamfe health district is higher than reported by the regional delegation of public health for the south west. Risk factors include: mosquito breeding sites, bushes around compound, not taking IPT and none use bed nets are known to pregnant women. Interventions to fight against malaria in pregnancy should target intensification of health education on environmental hygiene and use of ITNs.

Author(s):  
Valentine UN

Malaria in pregnancy poses a serious public health issues especially in developing countries. This study was to determine the Prevalence and risk factors of Malaria among Pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Aboh Mbaise General Hospital. A total of 284 pregnant women participated in this study. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain some socio-demographic characteristics of patients. Thick and thin films were made from blood collected from each pregnant woman. The films were stained using the gold standard staining technique, Giemsa staining for detecting malaria parasites in blood. Data generated was analyzed using SPSS 23.0 statistical package. A p-value<0.05 was considered significant.The prevalence of malaria parasite among the pregnant women in Aboh Mbaise was 70.8%. Plasmodium falciparum was the only specie of malaria parasite found in this study. The age group 15 – 25 years, illiterates, unemployed and single patients had the highest prevalence of malaria positive (MP) patients of 81(28.5%), 80(28.2%), 140(49.3%) and 53(18.7%) respectively. Primigravidae had the highest frequency of MP patients of 109(38.4%) followed by multigravidae 92(32.4%) but there was no statistical significance (p>0.05). Malaria prevalence followed the trend of 1st trimester 80(28.2%) to 2nd trimester 66(23.2%) to 3rd trimester 45(15.8%) in that order but the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The lowest frequency occurred in the month of February 9(3.2%) while the highest frequency occurred in the month of July 62(21.8%) but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Patients who had bushes around their compound, and who didn’t use mosquito bed net (MBN) and insecticide treated nets (ITNs); those patients surrounded by mosquito breeding sites and who didn’t use Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) were significantly associated with malaria parasite infection (p< 0.05). The prevalence of malaria parasite among the pregnant women in was 70.8%. Lack of education and employment; and risk factors like non-compliance to use of ITNs/MBN; and non-usage of IPT during pregnancy, presence of mosquito breeding sites and bushes around the premises of the study participants were risk factors contributing to prevalence of malaria among pregnant women in Aboh Mbaise General Hospital in Imo State.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawood Ackom Abass ◽  
Abdul-Hakim Mutala ◽  
Christian Kwasi Owusu ◽  
Bernard Walter Lartekwei Lawson ◽  
Kingsley Badu

Abstract Malaria in pregnancy remains a major problem of public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa due to its endemicity and the diverse consequences on both the mother and the baby. Much attention, therefore, is needed to fully understand the epidemiology of the disease and to mitigate the devastating outcomes. The present study aimed at investigating malaria in pregnancy, its adverse effects on pregnant women and the impact on birthweight of babies. A total of 222 pregnant women gave their consent and were recruited into the study during their routine Antenatal care visits. This study employed a combination of cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort study designs. For 122 women in the cross-sectional arm, blood samples and data were obtained once, whilst 100 women in the longitudinal cohort arm were followed up from recruitment until delivery. Demographic information, obstetric history and risk factors were obtained by administering questionnaires. About 1.0 ml of venous blood was drawn to determine malaria parasitaemia and anaemia status of the participants. The birthweights of the babies were also taken at delivery. The prevalence of malaria and anaemia was 19.8% and 27.0% respectively at registration for all 222 participants. All infections were P. falciparum malaria. One hundred and forty-six (65.8%) of participants had ITN but only 72 (32.4%) used it the previous night. Young age and rural settings were risk factors for malaria. Young age and malaria positive pregnant women had increased risk of anaemia. In the follow-up group which ended with 54 participants, the overall prevalence of malaria and anaemia were 18.7% and 32.4% respectively. Fifty-two (96.3%) of pregnant women attended ANC ≥ 4 times and 55.6% took ≥ 3 doses of SP. There were two cases of miscarriage. Low birthweight occurred in 5.6% of babies. Both malaria and anaemia during pregnancy had no significant impact on birthweight of the babies. Although few of the babies had low birthweight, this number can be further reduced when pregnant women attend ANC and take SP at the recommended number of times.


Author(s):  
Chibuzo Christian Uba ◽  
Moses Nkechukwu Ikegbunam ◽  
Emmanuel Chigozie Udegbunam ◽  
Chioma Abana ◽  
Stephen Nnaemeka Ezekwueche ◽  
...  

Each year, an estimated number of 300–500 million people are infected with malaria parasite, with an undesirable effect of over one million deaths. Pregnant women as well as young children, non-immune travellers visiting malaria-endemic zones are at the highest risk of suffering or experiencing life - threatening malaria infection. Maternal immunity, parasite density, parity, inadequate antenatal care services, drug misuse and abuse as well intermitted preventive treatment drug failure cum resistance are the most associated risk factors of malaria in pregnancy obtainable in endemic regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Identification and understanding of these factors will play a major role in reducing the burden as well as eliminating malaria disease among pregnant women living in endemic regions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Baptiste Yaro ◽  
Alphonse Ouedraogo ◽  
Amidou Diarra ◽  
Salif Sombié ◽  
Z. Amidou Ouedraogo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Malaria in pregnancy remains a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Identifying risk factors for malaria in pregnancy could assist in developing interventions to reduce the risk of malaria in Burkina Faso and other countries in the region. Methods Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out to measure Plasmodium falciparum infection using microscopy in pregnant women in Saponé Health District, central Burkina Faso. Data were collected on individual, household and environmental variables and their association with P. falciparum infection assessed using multivariable analysis. Results A total of 356 pregnant women were enrolled in the surveys, 174 during the dry season and 182 during the wet season. The mean number of doses of sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy (IPTp-SP) was 0.4 doses during the first trimester, 1.1 doses at the second and 2.3 doses at the third. Overall prevalence of P. falciparum infection by microscopy was 15.7%; 17.8% in the dry season and 13.7% in the wet season. 88.2% of pregnant women reported sleeping under an insecticide-treated net (ITN) on the previous night. The odds of P. falciparum infection was 65% lower in women who reported using an ITN compared to those that did not use an ITN (Odds ratio, OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.14–0.86, p = 0.02). IPTp-SP was also associated with reduced P. falciparum infection, with each additional dose of IPTp-SP reducing the odds of infection by 44% (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.39–0.79, p = 0.001). Literate women had a 2.54 times higher odds of P. falciparum infection compared to illiterate women (95% CI 1.31–4.91, p = 0.006). Conclusions The prevalence of P. falciparum infection among pregnant women remains high in Burkina Faso, although use of IPTp-SP and ITNs were found to reduce the odds of infection. Despite this, compliance with IPTp-SP remains far from that recommended by the National Malaria Control Programme and World Health Organization. Behaviour change communication should be strengthened to encourage compliance with protective malaria control tools during pregnancy.


Author(s):  
C. A. Imakwu ◽  
J. C. Ozougwu ◽  
O. P. Okeke ◽  
G. U. Amana ◽  
S. C. Eziuzor

Aims: Malaria in pregnancy is a weighty health problem in sub-Saharan Africa where 90% of the global malaria burden occurs, therefore there is urgent need for more researches on malaria in pregnancy to reduce its mortality and morbidity. Anaemia, body mass index and risk factors association with malarious pregnant women in Ebonyi State was investigated in this study. Study Design: A cross-sectional study on malaria infection among pregnant women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria was carried out from April 2011 to March 2012 from two selected hospitals. Methodology: Venous blood samples were collected for thick and thin films blood smears for microscopic examinations. Presence or absence of anaemia was determined by measuring haemoglobin concentration spectrophotometrically using the cyanmethemoglobin method. Chi-square (χ2) was used to analyse the data collected. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The result showed that out of 360 pregnant women sampled with average age of (26.54 ± 4.61), infection rate of 150 (41.7%) was observed. The prevalence of anaemia was 202(56.1%) and it was highly associated with malaria, infection was higher among pregnant women who were anaemic than those who were not. Also, body mass index is associated with malaria as it showed its highest prevalence amongst overweight pregnant women. The risk factors associated with malaria in this study were rainy season, primigravidae and primary education. Conclusion: Increased awareness about anaemia, body mass index and risk factors such as rainy season, primigravidae and primary education association with malaria as established in this study could help in the reduction of the burden of malaria among pregnant women.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Baptiste Yaro ◽  
Alphonse Ouedraogo ◽  
Amidou Diarra ◽  
Salif Sombié ◽  
Z Amidou Ouedraogo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Malaria in pregnancy remains a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Identifying risk factors for malaria in pregnancy could assist in developing interventions to reduce the risk of malaria in Burkina Faso and other countries in the region.Methodology: Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out to measure Plasmodium falciparum infection using microscopy in pregnant women in Saponé Health District, central Burkina Faso. Data were collected on individual, household and environmental variables and their association with P. falciparum infection assessed using multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 356 pregnant women were enrolled in the surveys, 174 during the dry season and 182 during the wet season. The mean number of doses of sulphadoxine pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy (IPTp-SP) was 0.4 doses during the first trimester, 1.1 doses at the second and 2.3 doses at the third. Overall prevalence of P. falciparum infection by microscopy was 15.7%; 17.8% in the dry season and 13.7% in the wet season. 88.2% of pregnant women reported sleeping under an insecticide-treated net on the previous night. P. falciparum infection risk in pregnancy was reduced in those women who reported using an ITN (Odds ratio, OR=0.31, 95% CI 0.12-0.79, p=0.02) and an increasing number of IPTp-SP doses during pregnancy, with each additional dose reducing the odds by 40% (OR=0.59, 95% CI 0.43–0.81, p<0.001). ConclusionThe prevalence of P. falciparum infection among pregnant women remains high in Burkina Faso although use of IPTp-SP and ITNs were found to reduce the odds of infection. Despite this, compliance with IPTp remains far from that recommended by the National Malaria Control Programme and World Health Organization. Behaviour change communication should be improved to encourage compliance with protective malaria control tools during pregnancy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chonge Kitojo ◽  
Frank Chacky ◽  
Emmanuel S. Kigadye ◽  
Joseph P. Mugasa ◽  
Abdallah Lusasi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Tanzania started implementing single screening and treatment (SST) for all pregnant women attending their first antenatal care (ANC) visits in 2014, using malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and treating those who test positive according to the national guidelines. However, there is a paucity of data to show the acceptability of SST to both pregnant women and health care workers (HCWs), taking into consideration the shortage of workers and the added burden of this policy to the health system. This study assessed the perceptions and opinions of health service users and providers to determine the acceptability of SST policy. Methods Pregnant women and HCWs in eight health facilities in two districts of Lindi region (Kilwa and Lindi) were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires with open and close-ended questions. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected, including demographic characteristics, women’s experience, their perception on SST and challenges they face when receiving services for malaria offered at ANC. Experience of HCWs regarding the implementation of SST as part of routine services and the challenges encountered when providing ANC services for malaria in pregnancy (MIP) were also assessed. Results Of the 143 pregnant women interviewed, 97% viewed testing favourably and would wish to be tested for malaria again, while 95% were satisfied with services and reasons for testing during the first ANC visit. Nearly all (99%) would recommend their fellow pregnant women to be tested for malaria and all women recommended that the Ministry of Health should continue the SST strategy. This was despite the fact that 76% of the women experienced pain and 16% had anxiety as a result of finger prick. Sixteen HCWs (mostly nurses) were interviewed; they also viewed SST implementation favourably and reported feeling empowered to use RDTs for malaria screening. The main challenge identified by HCWs was that nurses are not allowed to prescribe anti-malarials to women who test positive and need to refer them to the outpatient department for treatment. Conclusion SST was considered an acceptable approach to control MIP by HCWs and pregnant women, and they recommended the continuation of the policy. In addition, consideration should be given to implementing a task-shifting policy to allow nurses to dispense anti-malarials to pregnant women.


1927 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-350
Author(s):  
A. Timofeev

To refute the opinion among physicians that quinine therapy of malaria in pregnancy threatens the preservation of the latter, Canton Eliseo showed by experiments on pregnant rabbits that the administration of 2-4 centigrams of chinini muriatici pro kilo does not cause abortion.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrizia Moretti ◽  
Giulia Menculini ◽  
Lucia Gonfia

Sleep disturbances and changes in circadian rhythms are commonly observed in pregnant women. These disorders can result from anatomical, physiological, psychological, and hormonal alterations that can influence sleeping during this phase. Sleep disorders during pregnancy can be responsible for detrimental effects on both mother and foetus. In this chapter we will focus on the epidemiology of sleep disorders, physiological sleep mechanisms and their alterations during pregnancy, as well as on risk factors for sleep disorders in pregnancy. We will then focus of the most frequent sleep disorders during pregnancy, also considering eventual adverse implications for both mother and child, prognosis, and possible pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Durray Shahwar A. Khan ◽  
La-Raib Hamid ◽  
Anna Ali ◽  
Rehana A. Salam ◽  
Nadeem Zuberi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There is dearth of information on COVID-19’s impact on pregnant women. However, literature reported trends of COVID-19 differ, depending on the presence of clinical features upon presentation. Objective This systematic review aimed to assess differences in risk factors, management, complications, and pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in symptomatic vs. asymptomatic pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods A search was run on electronic databases to identify studies reporting COVID-19 in pregnancy. Meta-analysis was performed and odds ratios and mean difference with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using Review Manager 5.4. Review Prospero registration number CRD42020204662. Results We included ten articles reporting data from 3158 pregnancies; with 1900 symptomatic and 1258 asymptomatic pregnant women. There was no significant difference in the mean age, gestational age, and body mass index between the two groups. The meta-analysis suggested that pregnant women who were obese (OR:1.37;95%CI:1.15 to 1.62), hypertensive (OR:2.07;95%CI:1.38 to 3.10) or had a respiratory disorder (OR:1.64;95%CI:1.25 to 2.16), were more likely to be symptomatic when infected with SARS-CoV-2. Pregnant women with Black (OR:1.48;95%CI:1.19 to 1.85) or Asian (OR:1.64;95%CI:1.23 to 2.18) ethnicity were more likely to be symptomatic while those with White ethnicity (OR:0.63;95%CI:0.52 to 0.76) were more likely to be asymptomatic. Cesarean-section delivery (OR:1.40;95%CI:1.17 to 1.67) was more likely amongst symptomatic pregnant women. The mean birthweight(g) (MD:240.51;95%CI:188.42 to 293.51), was significantly lower, while the odds of low birthweight (OR:1.85;95%CI:1.06 to 3.24) and preterm birth (< 37 weeks) (OR:2.10;95%CI:1.04 to 4.23) was higher amongst symptomatic pregnant women. Symptomatic pregnant women had a greater requirement for maternal ICU admission (OR:13.25;95%CI:5.60 to 31.34) and mechanical ventilation (OR:15.56;95%CI:2.96 to 81.70) while their neonates had a higher likelihood for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission (OR:1.96;95%CI:1.59 to 2.43). The management strategies in the included studies were poorly discussed, hence could not be analyzed. Conclusion The evidence suggests that the presence of risk factors (co-morbidities and ethnicity) increased the likelihood of pregnant women being symptomatic. Higher odds of complications were also observed amongst symptomatic pregnant women. However, more adequately conducted studies with adjusted analysis and parallel comparison groups are required to reach conclusive findings.


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