Prevalence of malaria parasitaemia in pregnancy in Nigerian women

SummaryThe study was designed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for malaria parasitaemia during pregnancy in Nigerian women. Ninety-one pregnant women (29 primigravidae and 62 multigravidae) in south-western Nigeria were recruited during their first antenatal attendance. They had not used antimalarial medications for 4 weeks before the study and were not more than 20 weeks pregnant. Women with malaria parasites in their peripheral blood smears were treated with oral chloroquine and re-examined 2 weeks later. There was an overall prevalence of parasitaemia of 12 per cent. None of those given choroquine to eliminate parasitaemia had malaria parasites at their second visit. The parasite rate before treatment was higher in primigravidae than in multigravidae. Haematocrit level was lower in women with parasitaemia than in those without, and in primigravidae compared with multigravidae. Malaria control measures commenced early in pregnancy and specific health education of women will reduce morbidity and mortality from malaria in pregnant Nigerian women.