Abstract

The study was carried out to ascertain the incidence of malaria parasitaemia and associated anaemia among pregnant women in a semi-urban community nine years after commencement of roll back malaria (RBM) initiative. The study was hospital-based among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at a central hospital. Structured questionnaires were administered containing relevant information on age, educational level, number of previous pregnancies and methods used for malaria control. Thick and thin blood films from capillary blood were stained with Giema’s stain and examined microscopically for malaria parasites. Packed cell volume (PCV) and blood groups were also carried out while body temperatures were measured using mercurial thermometers. Ethical clearance and informed consents were appropriately obtained. Data was analysed using Epi info 6 statistical software. The incidence of malaria parasitaemia was found to be 308 (42.4%);Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium malariae accounted for 302 (98%) and 6 (2%) of the isolates respectively. Anaemia was detected in 221 (71.6%) of the subjects with malaria parasites (P< 0.001). The rate of use of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) was 165 (22.7%) with a significantly lower rate of infection (22.2%) among them compared to other control methods (P< 0.001); there was a corresponding significantly higher rate of infection 253 (67.1%) among the uneducated compared to the educated (P< 0.001). Malaria is still a major health problem among pregnant women in Otukpo. Efforts should be intensified towards provision of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) and provision of adequate facilities for formal and informal adult education.

Key words: Malaria, parasitaemia, insecticide treated bed nets, pregnant women, Nigeria.