Prevalence of Malaria Parasitemia among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Seropositive Pregnant Women in Kwale, Delta State

Abstract

A total of 196 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Kwale Central Hospital, were prospectively studied to determine their Human immunodeficiency virus status and Malaria parasitaemia from July 2006 to December 2008. Human immunodeficiency virus status and malaria parasitaemia were determined using (WHO) systems two and Field staining technique respectively. Malaria parasite was further confirmed with Geimsa staining technique. Haematocrit and Leishman staining techniques were used for full blood count determination. A prevalence rate of 8.2%,6.6% and 2.6% were observed for HIV, malaria parasite and HIV/ malaria parasite infections among the subjects examined respectively. Also, a prevalence rate of 31.3% was obtained for malaria parasite among HIV seropositive pregnant women with 60% and 40% malaria density respectively. The HIV/malaria positive subjects had reduced mean packed cell volume of 21.2%,mean total white blood cell count of 2900mm/3 and a high absolute neutrophil count. The adoption of routine malaria/HIV screening as parts of management policy to confirm co-infections and proper management of pregnant women in endemic areas is imperative, as discussed on the results of this study.

KEYWORDS: Prevalence, Malaria, Human immunodeficiency virus, pregnancy