Asymptomatic Plasmodium Infection and Its Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Consultation in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State

Abstract

Malaria infection during pregnancy is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions. It affects an estimated 30 million pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa annually with 25% of maternal deaths each year. This study investigated Plasmodium parasitemia and its associated factors among malaria-asymptomatic pregnant women attending antenatal consultation in some selected hospitals in Enugu North, through blood smear microscopy and structured questionnaire interview of 440 randomly selected women. The result indicated a 27.9% prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium infection among studied subjects in Enugu North Local Government Area. The number of antenatal visits varied according to the age of women, previous pregnancy and occupation, education, gravidity, and age of pregnancy. Plasmodium parasitemia was more in young pregnant women, pregnant women who experienced pregnancy for the first time and those in their first trimester. Knowledge about a causative organism, and malaria symptom methods of transmission prevention and treatment, varied among the social status of the studied subjects.  There was a statistical association between asymptomatic Plasmodium infection with anaemia (p<0.05). Therefore, it is recommended that more awareness on the use of insecticide-treated nets and regular malaria tests should be done to ascertain malaria Plasmodium status, especially during pregnancy