Effects of Malaria Parasites and Its Prevalence in Pregnant Women Attending the Antenatal Clinic: A Study in Gumel General Hospital, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Background and

Malaria is one of the most deadly and life-threatening parasitic infections in the world. Pregnant women and their unborn children are among the most vulnerable people to malaria, which causes maternal anemia and parental mortality. This research was carried out to investigate the prevalence of malaria parasites in pregnant women attending the Antenatal Clinic, Gumel General Hospital, Jigawa State, Nigeria.

A total of 100 pregnant women were selected using simple random sampling and examined for malaria infection from July to September 2021. The study questionnaires were administered to the respondents whose blood samples were collected. The outcome variables for this research were malaria infection (assessed using rapid diagnostic tests) and pregnant women with any Plasmodium species. The independent variables include age, social status, number of deliveries, pregnancy trimester, malaria transmission modes, and control measures of the mosquitoes/malaria. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. The differences and similarities between study parameters were presented in relevant tables.

A total of 64 samples (64%) were infected with Plasmodium falciparum. The samples aged 15-20 years demonstrated the highest prevalence of the infection (71.4%). Social status indicated that homemakers were more infected, with 66.3%. On the number of deliveries, those that delivered three times and above showed the highest prevalence of infection with 72.5%. Finally, those in the third trimester were the most infected, with 62.2%. 

The current study showed that malaria is prevalent in pregnant women in Gumel. The associated factor with malaria infection comprised forgoing insecticide-treated bed nets, inadequate environmental sanitation, and living near stagnant water. Therefore, the future mothers should be motivated to participate early in focused antenatal care services to protect themselves from the possible harm of malaria. However, enlightenment on the devastating effects of malaria and preventive and control measures should target all women, especially at social and religious congregations, even before marriage.