PREVALENCE, INTENSITY AND CLINICAL PROFILE OF MALARIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINICS IN ONITSHA-NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ANAMBRA STATE, SOUTHERN NIGERIA.

Main Article Content

M.O. Iwueze
M.I Okwusogu
A.E Onyido
F.C Okafor
O.C Nwaorgu
S.N. Ukibe

Abstract

A study to determine the prevalence, intensity and clinical profile of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Onitsha-North Local Government Area, Anambra State Nigeria was carried out in four hospitals between May and September, 2013. A total of 200 blood samples were collected from systematically selected pregnant women. Malaria parasites were examined microscopically on thick and thin blood smear stained with Giemsa stain from each. Personal data were collected both orally and from maternity records of the women, analyzed using chi-square test. The results showed that of 200 pregnant women sampled in the study 116(58.0%) were positive for malaria parasites. Two Plasmodia species were encountered: Plasmodium falciparum (53.0%) and P. vivax (5.0%). The highest prevalence and intensity of malaria parasites (19.5% and 11.5% respectively) were found in those aged 21-25 years while the lowest prevalence and intensity (7.5% and 2.0% respectively) occurred in those aged 41 years and above. The highest prevalence (26.0%) of malaria were observed among those in primigravidae but least in those in multigravidae (12.5%).Mild infection was observed highest among those in primigravidae (16.5%) but least (8.0%) among those in multigravidae. Moderate infection followed the same trend, being highest (9.0%) in primigravidae and least in multigravidae (4.5%). Women in their first trimester were more infected (21.0%) than those in second trimester (19.0%) and third trimester (18.0%). The study demonstrated a high prevalence of malaria in the population evaluated, therefore it is important to develop coherent and effective policies and tools to tackle malaria and poverty.

Article Details

How to Cite
Iwueze, M., Okwusogu, M., Onyido, A., Okafor, F., Nwaorgu , O., & Ukibe, S. (2014). PREVALENCE, INTENSITY AND CLINICAL PROFILE OF MALARIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINICS IN ONITSHA-NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ANAMBRA STATE, SOUTHERN NIGERIA. The Bioscientist Journal, 2(1), 17-29. Retrieved from https://bioscientistjournal.com/index.php/The_Bioscientist/article/view/66
Section
Articles

References

Abdullahi, K., Abubakah, U., Adamu,
T., Daneji, A.I., Aliyu, R.U., Jiya,
N., Ibraheem, M.T.O. and Nata’ala, S.U. (2009). Malaria in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria. African Journal of Biotechnology 8(24): 7101-7105.
Adefioye, O.A., Hassan, W. O. and Oyeniran, O. A. (2007). Prevalence of Malaria Parasite Infection among Pregnant Women in Osogbo, Southwest Nigeria.
American-Eurasian Journal of Scientific Research 2 (1): 43-45.
Agomo, C.O., Wellington, A., Oyibo, R., Anorlu, I. and Agomo, P. U. (2009). Malaria in pregnant women in Lagos. Korean Journal of Parasitology, 47(2): 179-183.
Ahmed, S.G., Ibrahim, U.A. and Ibrahim, G. (2001). Prevalence and clinical significance of malaria parasitaemia in blood donors in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Nigeria Journal of Parasitology. 22(1and 2): 29-34.
Akanbi, O. M., Odaibo, A. B., Olatoregun, R. and Ademowo, O.G. (2010). Role of malaria induced oxidative stress on anaemia in pregnancy. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical
Medicine, 3: 211-214.
Aribodor, D. N., Nwaorgu, O. C.,
Eneanya, C. I., Okoli, I., PukkilaWorley, R. and Etaga, O. H. (2009). Association of low birth weight and placental malaria infection in Nigeria. The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, 3(8): 620-623.
Arpita, D. (2011). Symptoms of malaria during pregnancy. Onlymyhealth Publication. December 19th pp2454.
Bardaji, A., Sigauque, B., Bruni, L.,
Romagosa, C., Sanz, S., Mabanda,
S., Mandomando, I., Apoute, J.,
Sevene, E., Alonso, P.L. and Menedez, C. (2008). Clinical malaria in pregnant women.
Malaria Journal, 7:27
Brabin, B. J. (1983). An Analysis of Malaria in Pregnancy in Africa. Bulletin of the World Health Organization; 61(6): 1005-16.
Brooker, S., Bethony, J. and Bottazzi, M. E. (2007). Age-related changes in hookworm infection, anaemia and iron deficiency in an area of high Necator americanus transmission in South-Eastern Brazil.
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and
Hygiene,2: 146-154.
Carter, J.A, Ross, A.J., Newille, B.G.,
Obiero, E. Kakanak, MungalaOdera, V., Lees, J.A. and Nenton,
C.R. (2005). Development impairments following severe falciparum malaria in children. Tropical Medicine International Health. 10:3-10.
Cheesbrough, M. (2005). Distric laboratory practice in tropical countries. Part1. Cambridge University Press United Kingdom. Pg 191.
Chen, Q., Schlichtherle, M. and
Wahlgren, M. (2000). “Molecular
1927
aspects of severe malaria”. Clinical Microbiology Rev. 13(3): 439-50.
Prevalence, Intensity and…
Iwueze et al., 2014
Duffy, P. E. and Fried, M. (1999). Malaria during pregnancy; parasites, antibodies and Chondroitin Sulfate A. Biochemical Society Transactions, 27(4): 478-482.
Egwunyenga, A. O. Ajayi, J. A., Nmorsi, O. P., Duhlinska P. D. (2001). Plasmodium/intestinal helminth co-infection among pregnant Nigerian women. MemInstOswaldo Cruz; 96(8): 1055-59.
Ejezie, G.C.Ezedinachi, E.N., Usanga, E.A., Gemade, E.I., Ikpatt, N.W. and Alaribe, A.A.(1991). Malaria and its treatment in rural villages of Aboh Mbaise, Imo State,
Nigeria. Acta Tropica 48:17-24
Ekanem, O.J., Weisfield, J.S., Salako,
L.A., Nahles, B.L. and Ezedinachi, E.N (1999). Sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine and
Sulphadoxine/Pyrimethamine in Nigerian children. Bulletin of World Health Organization, 68(1): 45-52.
Epidi, T.T., Nwani, C.D. and Ugorji, N.P. (2008). Prevalence of malaria in blood donors in Abakaliki Metropolis, Nigeria. Scientific Research and Essay 3(4):162-164.
Faye, O., Gaye, O. and Molez, J. F. (1998). Impact of the use of permethin pre-impregnated mosquito nets on malaria transmission in a hyper endemic village of Senegal. Medicine Topicale Mersale, 58(4): 335-360.
Greenwood, B.M., Bojang, K., Whitty, C.J. and Targett, G.A. (2005).
“Malaria”. The Lancet of Infectious Diseases, 365 (9469): 1487-1498.
Haji, H., Smyth, T., Iwood, J.D. and Meuwissen, J.H. (1996). Absence of relationship between selected human factors and infectivity of Plasmodium falciparum in an area of high transmission. Parasitology 113:425-559.
Malaria and Pregnancy Network (2000). Lives at risk, malaria and pregnancy. Washington DC.
Support for Analysis and Research in Africa. (SARA) project, 32pp
Mbanefo, E.C., Umeh, J.M., Oguoma, V.M. and Eneanya, C.I. (2009). Antenatal malaria parasitemia and haemoglobin profile of pregnant mothers in Awka, Anambra state, Southeast Nigeria. The Internet
Journal of Parasitic Diseases 4:1-
4.
Mbanugo, J.I. and Ejms, D.O. (2000). Plasmodium infections in children aged 0-5 years in Awka metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria. Nigeria Journal of
Parasitology, 21:55-59.
National Population Commission. (2007). Federal Republic of
Nigeria. Official Gazette. 94:90-94
Nosten, F., Rogerson, S.J., Beeson, J.G., McGready, R., Mutabingwa, T.K and Brabin, B. (2004). Malaria in pregnancy and the endemicity spectrum: what can we learn? Trends of Parasitology, 20(9): 425432.
Nwokedi, M. C. (1992). Prevalence of malaria in pregnant women in Onitsha, South East Nigeria. B.Sc. Thesis. Abia State University. 36pp.
Obiukwu, M.O., Nwaorgu, C.O.,
Umeanaeto, P.U., Nwosu, C.N. and Azubuike, G.C.(2007) Prevalence of malaria parasitaemiaamong blood donors in Onitsha, Anmbra
20
State, Nigeria.World Journal of Biotechnology. 8(2):1342-1349.
Onyido, A.E., Agbata, V.O., Umeanaeto,
Prevalence, Intensity and…
Iwueze et al., 2014
P.U., Obiukwu, M.O.and Amadi, E.S. (2010). Malaria burden and vector abundance in Sub-urban community in the Rainforest zone of Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Microbiology 24(1):2224-2230.
Onyido, A.E., Obinatu, S.C., Umeanaeto, P.U., Obiukwu, M.O. and Egbuche, M.C. (2011a). Malaria prevalence and moscuito vector abundance in Uli Town, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. African Journal of Biomedical Resaerch 14(3):175-182.
O’Neil-Dunne, I., Achur, R. and AgborEnoh, S. T. (2001). Graviditydependent production of antibodies that inhibit binding of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes to placental Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan during pregnancy. Infection and Immunology,
69:7487-7492.
Okoko, B. J., Enwere, G. and Ota, M. O. (2003). The epidemiology and consequences of maternal malaria: A review of immunological basis. Acta Tropica, 7: 193-205.
Okwa, O.O., Carter, V. and Hurd, H. (2006). Abundance, host preferences and infectivity rates of malaria vectors in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State. Nigeria Journal of Parasitology 27:42-48.
Opara, A.U., Nnodim, J.K. and Dike, J.(2011). Prevalence of malaria among rural farmers of North central Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. International Science Resaearch Journal 3:29-33.
Praise, M. E., Lewis, S. L., Ayisi, G. J.
(2003). A Rapid Assessment approach for Public Health decision making related to the prevention of malaria during pregnancy. Bulletin of the World Health Organization; 81: 316-323.
Rao, K.V. (2007). X2 (Chi-Square) Test and measures of association.In Biostatistics – a manual of statistical methods for use in Health, Nutrition and Anthropology. Rao, K.V(ed.) Japee brothers medical Publishers (P) Ltd. New Delhi, India. Pp 727.
Ribera, J.M., Hausmann-musela, S., D’ Alessandro, U. and Grietens, K.P. (2007). Malaria in preg. What can the social science contribute? PloS Med. 4(4):e92.
Saute, F., Menendez, C., Mayor, A., Aponte, J., Gomez-Olive, X. and Alonso, P. (2002). Malaria in Pregnancy in Rural Mozambique: The role of Parity Submicroscopic and Multiple Plasmodium falciparum infection. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 7:19-28.
Ukpai,O.M. and Ajoku, E.I. (2001). The prevalence of malaria in Okigwe and Owerri areas of Imo State, Nigeria.The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology.22(1 and 2):43-48.
White, N.J. (2005). Intermittent preventive treatment for malaria.
Plos Medicine 2(1):3-9.
World Health Organization. (2000).
Expert committee on malaria.
WHO technical report series:
892:1-74.
World Health Organization (2004). A strategic framework for malaria prevention and control during pregnancy in the Africa region. WHO, Geneva: AFR/MAL/04/01.
2128
Prevalence, Intensity and…
Iwueze et al., 2014
World Health Organization (2005). Health Organization, Switzerland. Making every mother and child 2008. pp99-101.
count, World Health Organization. World Health Organization. (2010).
Geneva WHO News.Issue.4-3. Working to overcome the impact World Health Organization (2008). of neglected tropical diseases. World Malaria Report. World Geneva pp 26-33.