Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria amongst pregnant women in sub-divisional hospital (CMA) Muea, Southwest Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Background Gestational malaria has been defined as the presence of Plasmodium spp. in maternal peripheral blood or the finding of the parasite in the placenta. Malaria infection during pregnancy is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and, given the secondary immunosuppression due to pregnancy, pregnant women are more vulnerable to the disease, with consequences for them and their children. Objective The aim of the research was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria in pregnant women in Sub-Divisional hospital (CMA) Muea. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in Sub-divisional hospital Muea. A semi-questionnaire was shared to participants to collect information concerning their sociodemographic data and assessed their exposure to malaria. Blood samples were collected via finger prick to carryout malaria rapid test and microscopy. The prevalence, parasitemia and the sensitivity of the rapid test kit were calculated with the aid of the SPSS Package version 26, where the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results were expressed both in frequencies and in percentages. Results A total of 114 pregnant women participated, with the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria A total of 30(26.32%). Also 19(63.3%) positive cases had parasitemia ranging from 1-10001 trophozoites per microliter of blood and the sensitivity of 88.24% was obtained for the AdvDxTM RDT kit. Conclusion The observed prevalence of asymptomatic malaria amongst pregnant women was seen to be high. Malaria in pregnant women has detrimental effects both on the expecting mother and her unborn baby.