Malaria and Anaemia among Pregnant Women in Makurdi, Benue State

Abstract

The prevalence of malaria infection and anaemia among 200 pregnant women who attended Federal Medical Centre and Baz Medical Laboratory Makurdi, Benue State was studied. The overall prevalence of malaria infection was 49.0% while that of anaemia was 47.0%. These were both higher in the primigravidae (65.2% and 64.1% respectively) than in the multigravidae (35.1% and 33.3% respectively). Chi square analysis however showed that the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Prevalence of malaria in the first, second and third trimesters were 33.9%, 65.9% and 37.2% respectively while that of anaemia were 32.2%, 62.5% and 38.9% respectively. Chi square analysis showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the three trimesters. The prevalences of malaria and anaemia in the different age ranges were more in the age range of 25-34 in the primigravidae, and the age range of 35-44 in the multigravidae. In the first and second trimesters, prevalence of malaria and anaemia were highest in the 25-34 years group, but highest in the 35-44 years group in the third trimester. The implications of the findings were discussed and recommendations proffered.

Keywords: malaria, anaemia, pregnant women, Makurdi, gravidity, Plasmodium spp.

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [2] September 2011, pp.193-196