scholarly journals Anaemia, Body Mass Index and Risk Factors Association with Malarious Pregnant Women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

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.

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. 346-348
Author(s):  
Joseph Omang ◽  
Antor O Ndep ◽  
Dominic Offiong ◽  
Fidelis Otu ◽  
Kenneth Onyejose

Malaria is caused by the parasite plasmodium which can be spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Of the five types of plasmodium (P. Falciparium, P.Ovale, P. Malaria, P. Vivax and P. Knowlesi), the plasmodium falciparium is the deadliest and affects the lives of almost  40 per cent of the world’s population with pregnant women and children  under-five years of age being the most affected. This mini-review involved the collation of findings from recent studies in regards to the prevalence of malaria infection among pregnant women and infants. A systematic analysis of recent literature on the  prevalence of malaria in pregnancy from many authors was carried out and the facts synthesized to make an easy read. From the analysis of literature, Ten Thousand women and 200,000 babies were reported to be dying annually from complications of malaria in pregnancy which recorded a prevalence of 85 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa. More so, Fifty per cent of pregnant women  were discovered to be carrying plasmodium falciparium in their placenta without even experiencing malaria signs/ symptoms, and this development was reported to have been responsible for Twenty per cent of stillbirths and 11 per cent of all maternal deaths. Malaria infection is considered a major threat to the lives and well-being of pregnant women and infants. Therefore, stakeholders should ensure that every clinical diagnosis of malaria in pregnancy is confirmed with a laboratory plasmodium falciparium-based diagnosis before the administration of antimalarial drugs. Furthermore there should be a  stepping –up on the distribution of insecticide treated nets alongside enlightenment of pregnant women on ways of preventing mosquito bite. Instituting the aforementioned approaches is key to improving the health- seeking behaviour of pregnant women in particular and the wider population in general thus enabling them to stay malaria free throughout the period of pregnancy and infancy.


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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muna KA ◽  
Mokhtar A ◽  
Saad MA ◽  
Ahmed AA ◽  
Akbar JB

Introduction: Leptin is an adipokine that has strong correlation with the body mass index (BMI). Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common medical complication associated with pregnancy. Leptin may lose its correlation with the body mass index (BMI) during diabetes due to hormonal rearrangement. Diet control is the first line management in GDM. Leptin reported to increase in pregnancy and further increases in diabetic patients during GDM screening. There is paucity in the reports concerning Leptin levels in GDM patients on diet control. The present study was aimed to evaluate the changes in maternal leptin in pregnancy complicated by GDM on diet control compared to the normal pregnancy in the 3rd trimesters by comparing the means and to find the correlation of Leptin with the body mass index in both groups. Methods: The study included 2 groups: normal pregnancy (n = 40) and pregnancy with GDM under diet control (n = 60) both groups are at 38-40 weeks of gestation. Leptin concentration in serum was measured in both groups and statistically tested using student t test. The BMI were measured and correlated with the Leptin level in test groups. Results: the results indicated that Leptin will nearly triple in the third trimester (38±30 ng/ml) of pregnancy compared to the standard normal non-pregnant. Leptin level was significantly lower in diabetic women on diet control (28±16 ng/ ml) when compared with the non-diabetics (38±30 ng/ml). The hormone has no correlation with the age of the patients but have a positive correlation with the body mass index before and during pregnancy in both groups. Conclusion: Leptin is increasing in pregnancy as part of the physiological changes. Dieting can decrease Leptin level in diabetics’ pregnant women. Diet can restore the hormonal dysregulation of Leptin. Assessment of Leptin level might be used as an indicator for good diet control during pregnancy.


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.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Etienne KAJIBWAMI BIRINDWA ◽  
Guy MULINGANYA MULUMEODERHWA ◽  
Olivier NYAKIO ◽  
Guy-Quesney MATESO MBALE ◽  
Serge ZIGABE MUSHAMUKA ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Vertical transmission of covid-19 is possible; its risk factors are worth researching. The placental changes found in pregnant women have a definite impact on the foetus.Case presentation: We report a case of a 25-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 2 (2 alive children), with a history of two caesarean deliveries, who was infected by the SARS-Cov-2 during the last term of her pregnancy. She gave birth by caesarean after 34 weeks of gestation to a new-born baby also infected with SARS-Cov-2. The per-operative observations noted several eruptive lesions in the pelvis, bleeding on contact. Microscopic examination of the foetal appendages revealed thrombotic vasculopathy in the placenta and in the umbilical cord vessels.Conclusion: This case is one of the first documented cases of COVID-19 in pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa. We strongly suggest obstetricians to carefully examine the aspect of the peritoneum, viscera and foetal appendages in affected pregnant women.


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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Lindsay ◽  
Claudia Buss ◽  
Sonja Entringer ◽  
Pathik Wadhwa

Abstract Objectives Nutrition in pregnancy plays an important role in maintaining glycemic control but there is no consensus on how to characterize maternal diet quality with respect to glycemic outcomes. The objective of this study is to compare the associations between 4 indices of diet quality with biomarkers of glycemic control (insulin, homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)) in pregnancy, and to determine whether associations vary as a function of pre-pregnancy body mass index (pBMI). Methods In a prospective longitudinal study of N = 220 pregnant women, dietary intakes were assessed at 3 time points across gestation by 3 × 24h-diet recalls per assessment, from which 4 validated diet quality scores were derived: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Alternative Healthy Eating Index for Pregnancy (AHEI-P), Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS), Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII). Fasting blood samples collected at each assessment were assayed for insulin and glucose and HOMA-IR was computed. pBMI was computed from self-reported pre-pregnancy weight and measured height. Linear regression models predicting mean pregnancy values of insulin and HOMA-IR by diet quality score and pBMI and the diet quality*pBMI interaction term were computed. Results pBMI is strongly predictive of insulin and HOMA-IR and each diet quality score exerts similar significant main effects on glycemic parameters (Table 1). Only the DII*pBMI interaction term was significantly associated with insulin and HOMA-IR (Table 2). Figures 1A and 1B depict that the effect of DII on glycemic control is most pronounced for women with a pBMI < 25.0 Kg/m2, while levels among overweight and obese women remain relatively stable regardless of the inflammatory profile of the diet. Neither DASH, MDS or AHEI-P showed a significant effect on glycemic markers when analyzed as a function of pBMI. Conclusions Although each of the examined diet quality scores may serve as crude predictors of glycemic control in pregnancy, only the DII detected significant differential effects as a function of pBMI. A more pro-inflammatory diet in normal weight pregnant women may exert a stronger influence on glycemic control compared to overweight and obese women, likely attributed to the overriding effects of excess adiposity on dysglycemia. Funding Sources National Institutes of Health: NICHD, NIMHD, NIMH. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs


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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Dun-Dery ◽  
C Beiersmann ◽  
N Kuunibe ◽  
O Müller

Abstract Background Every year malaria in pregnancy causes 10,000 maternal mortalities worldwide, 20% of stillbirths, 11% of all new-born deaths and 900,000 low-birth-weight babies in sub-Saharan Africa. Maternal knowledge of malaria risks in pregnancy plays a significant role in malaria prevention. However, it is unknown if this preventable loss of lives and morbidities are caused by lack of knowledge, lack of prevention tools or both. We measured the pregnancy-related risks of malaria knowledge and bed net availability and use among pregnant women in Ghana. Methods We interviewed 770 pregnant women who attended antenatal care in 37 primary care clinics in Ghana from January through May 2019. We integrated this data in a sequential explanatory design with qualitative insights from 6 focus groups with 8 pregnant women each. Results 697/770 questionnaires were analyzed. 67% have general knowledge on malaria prevention but only 19% knew the specific risks on pregnancy outcomes. ITNs were owned by 89%, but only 75% reported to regularly use them. There was a statistically significant correlation between specific risks of malaria knowledge and ITN use (P&lt;.001, OR = 2.0, CI:1.3-3.0). Other factors associated with ITN use were higher income, owning an ITN, higher parity, formal education, religion, and age. Reasons for non-adherence to ITN use include inappropriate hanging infrastructure, discomfort with using an ITN, and use of other prevention alternatives. Conclusions The study demonstrates that maternal knowledge on the risks of malaria in pregnancy significantly influenced their adherence to the use of insecticide-treated bed nets. Key messages The use of ITNs as a prevention method for malaria correlates to the knowledge of mothers about risks of malaria in pregnancy. Antenatal care malaria prevention efforts should focus more on teaching the specific risks of malaria in pregnancy.


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