Prevalence of Malaria amongst Pregnant Women Attending Comprehensive Health Centre Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the epidemiology and burden of malaria amongst pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Comprehensive Health Center, Dutsin-ma, (CHCDTM) Katsina state, Nigeria.

Study Design: This study was designed to assess the epidemiology and burden of malaria amongst pregnant women, a total of 150 pregnant women were randomly selected between the active rainfall season to the early winter period (June and December) 2019. The sample population was selected irrespective of age, educational background and occupation, cultural and religious affiliation.

Palce and Duration of Study: The study was was carried out at Comprehensive Health Center Dutsin-Ma (CHCDTM), within a duration of six (6) months.

Methodology: Blood samples were aseptically collected into ethylene-diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) bottles and each blood sample was analyzed for malaria parasite. All specimens were analyzed within one hour of collection. Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films were performed, the average of ten views of a slide were counted and used for the determination of parasite density. The Giemsa stain was carried out using standard quality control procedure as described [8].

Results: The result from the study shows that 108 (72%) were found to be infected with malaria. Malaria infection among age groups 25-29 years was highest with frequency of 39(36.1%) and lowest 1(0.9%) among age group 15-19 years. Respondents in their second trimester had the highest prevalence 87(80.5%) with least prevalence in first trimester 9(6%). Multigravida had the highest infection rate 63(58.3%) while secundigravida had the least prevalence 16(14.8%). There is a significant difference in parasite burden in relation to gravidity (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Conclusively the burden of malaria amongst pregnant women attending CHCDTM is significant across the various examined dependent variables which implies that malaria remains one of the highest prevalent disease facing pregnant women.