Malaria prevalence and prevention methods among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Primary Health Care Centres in Osogbo, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Infection caused by Plasmodium falciparum in pregnancy is a major public health concern, posing significant risks for both  mother and foetus. This study determines the malaria prevalence and prevention practices among pregnant women attending  antenatal facilities in Osogbo.

Methods: A total of twelve primary health care centers were selected randomly to ensure representation from the different parts of the study area. Individual demographic data and blood samples were collected from participants attending antenatal clinics in 12 primary  health care centres. Microscopy, rapid diagnostic test (RDT) using 2 kits in order to validate the results and also minimize the risk of  biased results from a single kit, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used for the detection of P. falciparum in the samples.  Individual demographic information was collected with a structured questionnaire

Results: A total of 301 pregnant women participated  in the study. The mean age was 27.25 ± 0.29 years, mean axillary temperature was 35.5∘C ± 1.1 and mean PCV was 32.75± 0.23. Malaria  prevalence by microscopy, RDT and PCR were 53%, 70% and 83% respectively. Mean parasite density was 1629.25± 55.69. Based on their  gravidity, 97(32.2%) of the women were primigravid while 204 (67.8%) were multigravid, 7 (2.3%), 85 (28.3%), and 209 (69.4%) were in their  1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters respectively. The use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs), was reported by 212 (70.4%) of the participants. The difference in the use of IPTp SP and P. falciparum infection was not statistically significant with p=0.592. The difference in the use of  IRS and having P. falciparum infection was not statistically significant (p=0.960).

Conclusion: The study revealed that of the malaria  prevention methods employed by pregnant women, the most effective was IPTp-SP use which was associated with a reduced prevalence  of P. falciparum infection.