Incidence of malaria parasites among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic at Umaru Sanda Ndayako General Hospital, Bida.

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the status of malaria parasites among randomly selected one hundred pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic at Umaru Sanda Ndayako General Hospital, Bida, Niger State. Blood samples were obtained using syringe and needle, and tested for malaria parasite in thin film and rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Structured questionnaire was administered to the pregnant women to determine the information on their socio- economic status that might be responsible for the occurrence of malaria in their locality. The highest rate of malaria parasite was found to be sixty (70.6%) in Plasmodium falciparum, while the least occurrence of 25(29.4%) was recorded for Plasmodium vivax. Other species of Plasmodium were not identified in this research study. Among all the variables examined in the course of administration of questionnaire, the use of Long lasting insecticides treated net (LLITN) was found very effective when properly used in the prevention of malaria during pregnancy. The result of chi-square test of association revealed that there is an association between all the risk factors considered and the occurrence of malaria parasite in pregnant women as indicated by the P value (P< 0.05). The P value for each risk factor considered is: Parity (P <0.05); Gestation Age (P<0.05); Use of Intermittent pesticides treatment IPT (P<0.05); Use of Long Lasting Insecticides Treated Net LLITN (P<0.05); and Area of domicile of all the subjects (P<0.05).  There is the need to educate pregnant women on the risk associated with the occurrence of malaria parasite during pregnancy, especially primigravids and secondigravids during antenatal visits on the risks of their susceptibility and that of her growing fetus during pregnancy. LLITN and other malaria prophylactic drugs should be made available to pregnant women, both the rural and urban dwellers.