ABSTRACT
Malaria infection during pregnancy is a major health problem with substantial risks for the mother, fetus and the neonate. In Nigeria, malaria contributes to an estimated 11% of maternal mortality. An estimated 65% of Nigeria's population lives in poverty and poverty is a major factor affecting malaria prevention and treatment as it affects the accessibility to and affordability of the limited interventions. One of the effective strategies that reduce maternal mortality is the prevention of malaria in pregnancy. The World Health Organization (WHO) formulated a strategic framework for the prevention and control of malaria during pregnancy by recommending a three pronged approach using the Intermittent Preventive Treatment during pregnancy (IPTp), Vector control including using of Insecticide Treated mosquito Nets (ITNs), and Case management of malaria illness and anemia. A cross-sectional study was conducted to measure the association between the use of preventive strategies during pregnancy from antenatal records and the risk of malaria and other adverse outcome among parturients in FMC Nguru, Yobe State between July and November 2014. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to obtain data from one hundred and eightyfour parturients who satisfied the inclusion criteria. Both venous and cord blood samples were collected and tested for malaria and anemia. Seventy four parturients tested positive for malaria giving a prevalence rate of 40%. Age group < 25years accounted for the highest proportion of the positive mothers. The presence of malaria
infection at ANC enrollment, dosage of IPTP received during pregnancy, and method used to administer the IPTp drugs showed significant effect on the presence of the infection at delivery respectively (OR: 6.6 CI 1.5-6.7; OR:3.08 CI 1.5-6.7; OR 4.6 CI2.2-9.5). The prevalence of maternal anaemia (PCV<30%) was 41% and malaria positive mothers were mostly affected (58%).
The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia and maternal anaemia at delivery were found to be 40% and 41% respectively. There was generally low uptake and adherence to the standard regimen of the IPTp. Recommendations include education and social mobilization activities on the
importance and adherence to malaria prevention practices to women during pregnancy, Prompt procurement of IPTp drugs and ITNs with monitoring the process of administration at the facility level and ensuring the implementation of DOTS in the IPTp policy to enable effective prevention of malaria in pregnancy and its adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes.
Key words: Malaria, Parasitaemia, Parturients, Yobe state Nigeria