HIV Antibody Seroprevalence and Determinants Amongst Antenatal Clients in a Tertiary Hospital in the Niger Delta

Background: The pandemicity of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has continued to be a ‘medical quagmire,’ one of the most serious global catastrophe and public health problem that plagues the world today. Objectives: To determine the seroprevalence and clinico-epidemiological correlates of HIV infection in pregnancy. Methodology: This is a descriptive cross sectional study. Two hundred and twenty (220) consecutive healthy pregnant women attending the antenatal booking clinic of the hospital who met the inclusion criteria were recruited. Data was collected via a questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS (statistical package forsocial sciences) 22 statistical package (SPSS Inc., Illinois, U.S.A). P value less than 0.05 was taken as being significant. Results: Of the 220 women, 4.6% (n=10) were seropositive for HIV antibodies. Multiple sexual partners was the significant risk factors for HIV seropositivity (p<0.05). There was no significant association with respect to tattoo/scarification marks, female circumcision, previous blood transfusion, intravenous drug abuse or sharing of sharps, previous surgery, episiotomies or dilatation and curettage (p>0.05). Conclusion: The high endemicity of HIV infection in this study justifies the need for routine screening in pregnancy to identify and institute treatment of the infection promptly as this will reduce the mother to child transmission of the virus. Sex education on the dangers of multiple sexual partners or sexual promiscuity, availability of barrier methods of contraception and patronage, more efforts/interventions by relevant agencies, high sense of vigilance amongst others are very vital to curtailing this global pandemic in our society

Correlation between placental malaria parasitaemia at delivery and infant birth weight in a Nigerian tertiary health centre

Background: Untreated malaria during pregnancy is detrimental to the health and survival of the mother, foetus and neonate due to its great potential to cause maternal anaemia, foetal death and intrauterine growth restriction leading to low birth weight. The foetal complications are due to impaired placental function that results from placental malaria parasitaemia as well as impaired foetal oxygenation from maternal anaemia. This study was conducted to determine the influence of placental malaria parasitaemia on infant birth weight.Methodology: This was a prospective cross-sectional analytical study of 205 parturients recruited consecutively as they presented for delivery at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. After delivery, the neonates were weighed and placental blood was collected for microscopy to detect malaria parasites. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22.Results: The prevalence of placental malaria parasitaemia was 13.7% and Plasmodium falciparum was the only parasite species detected. Placental malaria parasitaemia was associated with a reduction of the mean infant birth weight by 335 grams (P = 0.01).Conclusion: Malaria during pregnancy is still an important public health problem among our obstetric population, with a high prevalence of placental malaria parasitaemia and a significant negative effect on the birth weight of neonates. To enable the developing foetus achieve its full genetic growth potential, pregnant women should be encouraged to register early for antenatal care and utilize all the recommended malaria preventive measures.Keywords: Placenta, malaria infestation, birth weigh

Placental Malaria Parasitization at Delivery: Experience at a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Background: In malaria endemic areas, pregnant women are constantly at risk of repeated malaria infestation which if left untreated, poses a significant threat to the health and survival of the mother and her baby. Objective: This study determined the prevalence and risk factors for placental malaria parasitaemia among parturients at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Nigeria. Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional analytical study of 205 parturients recruited consecutively at presentation for delivery. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. After delivery, placental blood was collected for microscopy to detect malaria parasites. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22. Results: The prevalence of placental malaria parasitaemia was 13.7%. Maternal age <25 years (P<0.001), low educational status (P = 0.03), low parity (P = 0.03), unbooked status (P < 0.001) and non-use of intermittent preventive treatment (P <0.001) were significantly associated with placental malaria parasitaemia. Receiving three or more doses of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy was by far, more protective for placental malaria than receiving 2 doses (odds ratio = 0.25). Plasmodium falciparum was the only parasite species detected. Conclusion: Malaria still ravages our obstetric population and the significant contributors include low maternal age, low educational status, low parity, unbooked status and non-use of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy. Women should be encouraged to utilize antenatal care. There should be a prompt adoption of the recent WHO recommendations regarding malaria prophylaxis in pregnancy in all obstetric units and the medication should be given as Directly Observed Therapy