Abstract

Background:Malaria in pregnancy is a major contributor to adverse maternal and prenatal outcome. In hyper endemic areas like ours, it is a common cause of anaemia in pregnancy and is aggravated by poor socioeconomic circumstance. This study evaluated the socio-demographic risk factors associated with malaria infection among Pregnant Women of African Descent in Specialist Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria.

Main body:A total of 60 consecutively recruited malaria- positive pregnant women participated in the study. Participants were recruited from the antenatal Clinic of Specialist Hospital Sokoto. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain some socio-demographic characteristics. Data generated was analyzed using SPSS 25.0 statistical package. A p-value≤0.05 was considered significant in all statistical comparisons. The predominant plasmodium specie responsible for all cases of malaria among the subjects was Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria prevalence was compared based on some socio-demographic factors among the subjects. Subjects residing in urban areas were more prone to malaria compared to those living in rural areas (X2=4.957, p=0.026). Pregnant women with no formal education were more predisposed to malaria infection compared to more educated women with primary, secondary and tertiary education (X2=9.040, p=0.029). Pregnant women who did not use insecticide- treated mosquito net was more predisposed to malaria compared to those that do (X2=32.105, p=0.0000). Pregnant women who are not on prophylactic antimalarial medication were more likely to have malaria compared to those that do (X2=18.281, p=0.0000).

Conclusion:This study has shown that Plasmodium falciparum is the predominant malaria specie among plasmodium parasitized women in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria. Socio-demographic factors (residence, illiteracy, non-availability and non -compliance to use of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets and lack of access to antimalaria prophylaxis during pregnancy) are factors contributing to prevalence of malaria among pregnant African women. There is need to routinely test pregnant women presenting to antenatal clinic particularly with febrile illness for malaria. There is need for the Nigerian government to invest in girl child education and increased awareness about malaria preventive measures, early and regular antenatal clinic attendance as well as universal provision of long insecticide treated mosquito nets and prophylaxis for all pregnant women to reduce the incidence of malaria and its associated morbidities and mortalities.

Keywords

Socio-demography, Risk factors, Malaria, Pregnancy, Women, African descent, Specialist hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria, Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, Indoor residual spraying, Intermittent preventive therapy for pregnant women, Artemisinin-based combination therapy, Long- lasting insecticide-treated nets, World Health Organization