Comparison and Evaluation of Asymptomatic Malaria Parasitaemia among Pregnant Women Attending Specialists Hospital, Sokoto, North-Western, Nigeria

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia among pregnant women attending Specialists Hospital, Sokoto, North-western, Nigeria.

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study designed to compare and evaluate asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia among pregnant women that were recruited during their ante-natal clinic visit in specialist hospital Sokoto.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Specialists Hospital sokoto between March to June, 2016.

Methodology: A total of 205 apparently healthy, confirmed pregnant women within the age of 15 – 45 years attending Specialists Hospital Sokoto, and had not been on any sort of malaria treatment, history of malaria or fever within the last 4 weeks were recruited for this study. Thick and thin blood films were performed for all the women. PCV estimation was also done using microhaematocrit centrifuge method and comparison was made for women with parasitaemia and those without parasitaemia.

Results: Of the two hundred and five pregnant women recruited for this study, 48 (23.4%) had malaria parasitaemia while 157 (76.6%) had no infection. The mean PCV of the women positive to malaria parasitaemia was 30.52 ± 3.71 against 34.30 ± 3.76 for those without parasitaemia (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in the study group was high compare to those without infections and there was associated anaemia in those with parasitaemia. The use of intermittent preventive treatment is recommended for all pregnant women including those who are asymptomatic to forestall complications like maternal anaemia.