Prevalence of malaria and its intervention measures among pregnant women in Orlu local government area of Imo State

Abstract

Assessment of the prevalence of malaria in pregnant women and its intervention measures was investigated between March and August, 2022. A total of 428 pregnant women not less than 15 years were randomly recruited from five (5) hospitals in Orlu. Result revealed that age group 31-40years, participants with tertiary education, traders/farmers recorded highest participation. Multigravid (50.5%) participated more in the study, followed by secundigravid (33.9%) and primigravid (15.7%) as the least participants; while 55.4% of the participants were in their 3rd trimester. Overall prevalence (42.9%) of malaria was reported among pregnant women under study. Socio-demographic prevalence of the pregnant women shows that age group 21-30years (55.2%), participants with tertiary education (56.7%), and civil servants (50.0%) recorded highest prevalence. Also, it was observed that multigravid (51.4%) had highest prevalence. Result observed no difference in the prevalence significant between primigravid and secundigravid likewise in their trimesters. Participants with ITNs and IPTp usage recorded (47.8% versus 40.1%) prevalence. From the assessment, it was observed that 155(36.2%) pregnant women use IPTp only, 59(13.8%) use ITNs only while 214(50.0%) combine both IPTp + ITNs. The participants 239(55.8%) reported fansidar (Sulfadoxine - Pyrimethamine) as the most preferred drug for malaria treatment during pregnancy. Malaria drug with 3 tablets 357(83.4%) was most preferred; most pregnant women 218(50.9%) reported taking the drug once in 2-3 months while the major source of drug procurement reported healthcare facility 281(65.7%). The use of ITNs should be encouraged during pregnancy as well as the use of intermittent preventive therapy in pregnancy (IPTp) to ensure reduction in the incidence of malaria disease.