Authors : I.A.A. Ejima, M.A. Yakub, I.K. Olayemi and S.O. Abolarinwa
Abstract: Studies were carried out on 182 pregnant women in Minna metropolis, to determine the prevalence and intensity of Plasmodium falciparum infection using both Parasitological test and Rapid diagnostic test methods of diagnosis. The prevalence and parasitaemia level among the subjects examined in the three different health centres were compared. The overall prevalence of the disease was 58.2% (106 infected out of 182). Of the total pregnant women examined in General Hospital (hospital A) (n = 81), Unity Clinic (hospital B) (n = 60) and Bay Clinic (hospital C) (n = 41), 53 (65.4%), 31 (51.7) and 22 (53.7%) were infected with Plasmodium falciparum, respectively. The severity of infection for first trimester was at its peak (100%) while for the other two trimesters, severity was 0%. Prevalence rates of Plasmodium falciparum infection among pregnant women attending the three health facilities were significantly different (p<0.05). There was also significant difference in prevalence rates of infection in terms of trimesters of pregnancy in all the three health facilities (p<0.05). There was however, no significant difference in the level of parasitaemia (geometric mean intensity, GMI/microlitre of blood) among the pregnant women attending the three health facilities (p>0.05). The baseline information provided in this research will guide pregnant women in taking routine antenatal check-up and intermittent treatment with appropriate chemotherapy seriously.
I.A.A. Ejima, M.A. Yakub, I.K. Olayemi and S.O. Abolarinwa, 2013. Malaria in Pregnancy in Minna Metropolis, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 7: 110-117.