Malaria Infection in Pregnant Women attending Antenatal Care in relation to Socio-demographic Profile, Trimester, Parity and Gravidae in Parts of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria infection remains one of the potent health hazards to the human, particularly pregnant women. Hence, the objective of this paper was to evaluate malaria infection in pregnant women attending antenatal care in relation to socio-demographic profile, trimester, parity and gravidae in parts of Adamawa State, Nigeria using appropriate standard methods. Data obtained reveals that the highest prevalence of malaria among the age-group 20-34 years (87.0%), those who attained secondary level education (34.3%), full housewives (36.0%), married and living together (77.8%), monogamous family type (72.2%). There was equal prevalence of 50.0% among those residing within towns and villages. The result showed no statistical significant difference amongst malaria infection and socio-demographic variables. Trimester, parity and gravidity showed no statistical difference (P˃0.05) with the highest prevalence of 50.0% (second trimester), 37.0% (parity two) and 36.1% (primigravidae). Parity was shown to be an independent risk factor associated with malaria infection (AOR = 11.410, CI = 1.118 – 116.451, P=0.040). Malaria prevalence decreases with advancing age, and higher gravidity was linked with a disproportionate decrease in malaria infection. Fourt parity was the only independent risk factor significantly associated with malaria infection in this study.