THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND MALARIA PARASITE DENSITY AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN ILORIN,NIGERIA

Abstract

Malaria currently is the most common and potentially the most serious
infection occurring in pregnancy in many sub-Saharan African countries. This
study was aimed at determining the relationship between socio-demographic
characteristics and malaria parasite density among pregnant women.
This was a descriptive study on malaria parasitaemia in pregnancy
carried out in the maternity wing of University of the Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
Four hundred and twelve pregnant women (412) were selected at booking
between 1st May and 31st July 2010, using systematic random sampling
method. Data were collected using an interviewer administered semi
structured questionnaire and their blood analyzed for malaria parasite and
parasite density. Data were then imputed into Microsoft Office Excel and EPI
Info version 3.4.1 statistical software packages for analysis and results
presented as tables and charts. Comparisons of categorical data were by Chi
Square (X2) analysis or Fisher exact tests and the p value was set at less than
0.05.
A total of 327 women (79.4%) had microscopic parasitaemia; out of the
154 primigraviae, 125 (81.2%) had malaria parasitaemia, while out of 133
women in their second pregnancy, 88 (77.9%) were positive for malaria
parasite. Majority of the teenagers 7 out of 8 (87.5%) were parasitaemic for
malaria. The mean parasite density in all infected women was 5992.3 ± 5753.1
(Mean ± SD) parasites/microlitre (p/μl). About two thirds 265 (64.3%) of the
subjects were symptomatic for malaria parasitaemia. Few subjects 61 (15%)
had chemoprophylaxis with Fansidar; out of which 51 (83.6%) were positive for
malaria parasitaemia. Malaria parasitaemia was higher in primigravidae than in
secondigravidae likewise the mean parasitaemia (81.2%, 6456.8 ± 5893.36
[Mean ± SD] ) versus (77.9%, 5191.48 ± 5160.71 [Mean± SD] ). Parasite density
was higher among the younger age groups.
The mean parasitaemia was higher among subjects with low social class
(F=71.5, p=0.00). Similarly, there was a significant relationship between
symptomatic malaria and mean parasitaemia (F=8.17, p=0.00). The mean
parasitaemia was also found to be higher in the second trimester than the first
and third trimesters (F=3.20, p=0.04). Plasmodium falciparum was the only
type of malaria parasite seen in the parasitaemic women.
These results suggest that the prevalence of malaria in pregnant women
at booking in Ilorin is high. The low social class women and women in second
trimester of pregnancy are the most susceptible to infection. It is, therefore,
urgent to implement an effective regimen of malaria prophylaxis for all at risk
group and all pregnant women in endemic areas.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND MALARIA PARASITE DENSITY AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN ILORIN,NIGERIA