Abstract

Pregnancy-related malaria is a serious public health issue that significantly raises the risk of death for both mothers and babies in malaria-endemic nations. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of malaria and molecularly detect Plasmodium falciparumamong pregnant women attending selected hospitals in Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State.Blood samples were collected from 309 pregnant women attending BarauDikko Teaching Hospital Kaduna, General Hospital Kawo and Nigerian Defence Academy Hospital Kaduna. The samples were analysed microscopically and molecularly for Plasmodium falciparum. A self-administered questionnaire was administered to each pregnant woman to obtain information such as occupation, age and gestation period. Results show a prevalence of 65.0% forPlasmodium falciparum malaria among the pregnant women with significant (p < 0.05) difference between malaria and sampling location. The highest prevalence was recorded in pregnant women attending General Hospital Kawo with a prevalence of 76.9%, followed by women attending NDA hospital with a prevalence of 65.0% and those attending Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital had 53.4%. %). Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum was seen higher in women in their second trimester of pregnancy with 68.9% prevalence, younger aged pregnant women with 66.7% prevalence and self-employed pregnant women with 66.2% prevalence. Results further showed that out of 12 samples with high parasite density subjected to molecular analysis, only 5 (41.7%) were positive for Plasmodium falciparum. The study revealed the prevalence of 65.0% of P falciparum infection among pregnant women attending selected hospitals in the studied area. Adequate utilization of insecticide treated net is essential to prevent exposure to mosquito bites leading to reduction in maternal mortality.

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