Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria among Pregnant Women Attending General Muhammad Shuwa Memorial Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria

M.A. Muhammad1, A.B. Suleiman1, A. U. Faruk2, M. Abubakar1, K.A. Makinta1

1Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
2Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author’s Email: mamuhammad@unimaid.edu.ng, doi.org/10.55639/607.02010030


ABSTRACT

Malaria is a disease caused by Plasmodium parasite and is transmitted by females Anopheles mosquitoes. It is a leading public health problem in Nigeria that causes illness and death. Malaria infection during pregnancy is an important public health problem with substantial risks to both the mother and fetus. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum among Pregnant Women in General Muhammad Shuwa Memorial Hospital, Maiduguri Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 59 patients by collecting blood samples from pregnant women who presented themselves during the study. Blood samples were obtained from the respondent’s left 4th finger with the aid of a sterile lancet and microscopy was used to examine for the presence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites in the blood of each respondent. Data generated were presented in frequencies and tables. Chi-square was used to test for association between categorical variables at 0.05 alpha level. The result obtained showed that of the 59 pregnant women who were tested for malaria parasite, 24 (40.7%) were positive for Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite while 35 (59.3%) tested negative. Malaria was found to be higher among pregnant women between the age bracket of 22-26 years 10 (16.9%) and women in their first term pregnancy 13 (22.0%). Hence, to curb malaria, the campaigns on malaria control and prevention should be re-designed in content and intensified in areas where the transmission rate is high. Regular screening and testing for malaria parasite should be institutionalized in all antenatal and postnatal outlets for prompt detection and management of malaria cases.

Keywords:

Malaria,
P. falciparum,
P. vivax,
Children,
Hospital,