Comparative Analytic Epidemiology of Plasmodium Parasitized Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women Attending Tertiary Health Care Facility in Port Harcourt, Niger Delta

Abstract

Malaria remains a public health burden in Nigeria. This study compared and determined the prevalence of malaria parasites and other possible risk factors among pregnant and non-pregnant women in Port Harcourt. A total of 200 blood samples (capillary) were collected from 100 pregnant and 100 non-pregnant women as a control through convenience sampling technique research design. The subjects for the study were drawn from women attending antenatal clinic in Braithwaite Memorial Hospital Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Thick and thin films were made on clean grease free glass slide and stained after drying with 3% solution of Giemsa stain to detect and identify the species of malaria parasites. SPSS version 21 was used to estimate frequency and percentage outcome. The results showed that out of 100 slides examined for pregnant women, 68% had malaria infection while 32% were negative. There were high prevalence rate of malaria infection among pregnant women of 20-23 years and 32-35 years age group while those ≥ 40 years showed least rate of 33%. The control samples showed infection rate of 71% with 29% negative. Showing that, non-pregnant women have a high prevalence rate when compared to pregnant women. It was discovered that illiterate pregnant women showed high prevalence rate than their educated counterparts. The use of indigenous (drug) herbs by some pregnant women proved 100% sensitive to P. falciparum as none were positive for malaria infection as captured through the administration of well-structured questionnaire. Intermittent treatment is therefore, recommended and further robust research should be channelled towards indigenous (drug) herbs for malaria treatment, especially in the developing communities. There is also urgent need for more inclusive malaria public health education in the region, especially among the vulnerable groups.