Abstract:

Malaria during pregnancy has adverse consequences on the mother and fetus. Information describing the prevalence, Plasmodium species types and the influence of socio-economic risk factors of malaria in pregnancy is scarce. In order to determine the distribution of malaria parasite species and risk factors among pregnant women in Bungoma County, a cross sectional hospital based study was carried out between March 2016 and January 2017 among 750 consented expectant mothers seeking antenatal services at the Bungoma County hospital. Malaria positivity and species identification were determined microscopically using Giemsa stain technique. Socio economic risk factors were collected using a structured pre-tested questionnaire. Data was analysed using STATA version 12. Descriptive analysis was used to determine malaria prevalence. Chi-square (X2) and regression analyses were used to determine the association between malaria and risk factors with P-<0.05 and 95 % CI. A total of 162/750 (21.6%) of expectant mothers had malaria parasites. Plasmodium falciparum being the most prevalent species 83.3%, Plasmodium malariae, 10.5%, Plasmodium ovale, 1.2%, and mixed infection of Plasmodium falciparum and plasmodium malariae 4.9%. Risk factors were unemployment OR 2.134 (1.228-3.371) P-value 0.006; lack of malaria treatment OR 3.615(1.285-10.167) P-value 0.015; lack of mosquito net use 3.220 (2.019-5.138) P-value 0.0001. Participants in first and second trimesters of pregnancy were at higher risk of infection by malaria OR 2.126 (1.238-6.651), P-value 0.006. Routine screening of pregnant women for malaria parasites and treatment is essential during all trimesters. Provision of treated mosquito nets and continuous health education are important in preventing malaria in pregnancy.

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