Prevalence of Asymptomatic Malaria among Pregnant Women Attending Primary Health Center in Osogbo, Osun State

Abstract

Background: Malaria is one of the leading causes of death in Nigeria, children under five and pregnant women have been noted to be among the group of people who are at risk of malaria infection. The aim of the study was to determine the possible occurrence of asymptomatic malaria and anemic status of pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic in Osogbo, Osun State. Methods: Malaria blood films were prepared directly from capillary blood. Slides of thick and thin film for malaria parasite (MP) and capillary tubes for PCV were prepared for each patient. Giemsa stain reagent was used at a dilution of 1 in 10 (1 ml of stock Giemsa stain into 9 ml of distilled water with a pH between 7.0 and 7.2) for 10 minutes. Individual slides were placed on the staining rack without touching each other.10% Giemsa stain solution was poured gently onto the slides until they were covered. The stain was then allowed to stay on the slides for 10 minutes. The slide was flooded gently with buffered water to float off the iridescent “scum” on the surface of the stain. The slides were removed one by one and placed downwards in a drying rack to drain and dry, ensuring the films do not touch the edge of the rack. Results: A total of 300 asymptomatic pregnant women were recruited for this study—the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, with a mean age of 27.1±5.6. The age distribution indicates that about 122 participants (40.7%) were 25 years or younger, while 111 (37.0%) were between 26 and 30 years. Additionally, 41 (13.6%) were aged 31 to 35, and 22 (7.4%) were above 36. The majority (60.5%) of the pregnant women had a secondary level of education, 30.9% had tertiary education, 7.4% both pregnant women with primary education and those without formal education were 26 (8.7%) Most participants were in their second (44.4%) and third trimesters (40.7%), while only 14.8% were in the first trimester. The parity distribution was even across the studied population, with 44.4% primigravidae, 24.7% secondgravidae, and 30.9% multigravidae. Conclusion: This study concludes that asymptomatic P. falciparum infection is common among pregnant women and contributes to the occurrence of maternal anaemia