PREVALENCE OF PLACENTAL MALARIA IN NJIKOKA AND OYI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of placental malaria in state base on locality, age, parity and gravidity.Methods: a total of 457 pregnant women were enrolled in cross sectional community based survey during different transmission seasons in rural and urban area of South Eastern Nigeria. Demographic characters were collected using structured questionnaire for the women. Once pregnancy is confirmed and malaria test prove positive with or without febrile illness the women consent is seeked and subsequent enrollment on approval. Then followed until delivery. On delivery blood sample were collected from the fresh placenta immediately and placed into ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) for malaria test.Result: Pregnancy was a risk factor for malaria infection (P=0.001) Plasmodum falciparium was the only parasite implicate in the study; 225 (49.5%) out of 457 was positive to microscopic screening. Educational level of mothers was significant to the rate of infection in both locality under study. Gravidity and parity were highly significant to prevalence with the women. Gravidity and parity were highly significant to prevalence with the women in primigravidae showing higher prevalence 78 (73.6%) of 106 x2 (1N- 457) = 19.804; P= 0.001 (Table). Prevalence and Odd ratio of placental infection in Oyi and Njikoka LGAs was also significant and indicating (OR: 1.77‘ 95% CI: 1.14-3.04; x2 = 9.171; P=0.002 (Table 6)Conclusion: An overall prevalence of 48.91% of placental malaria infection was observed which was quite high. Age, gravidity and parity affect the prevalence of placental malaria. The knowledge, application and adherence to appropriate control of malaria during pregnancy may be valuable if advocacy change to new pattern of control strategies and compliance is strictly applied.