Epidemiology of malaria in pregnant women attending antenatal consultation in Dschang, West Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Despite measures, malaria in pregnancy is still reported. It results in maternal illness, anaemia, low birth weight, preterm delivery and both maternal and foetal death. Aim: To determine the prevalence and density of malaria parasitaemia and identify the associated factors among pregnant women. Setting: This was a hospital-based study in two health facilities in Dschang, Western Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographics clinical manifestations, environmental factors and prevention measures used. Parasitological tests were carried out using thick and thin blood smears. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 22.0. Results: Out of the 314 participants, 46 (14.6%) were positive for malaria parasitaemia, and the only species identified was Plasmodium falciparum. A multinomial regression model showed that the presence of bushes around houses (odds ratio [OR] = 2.40, p = 0.03) exposes individuals to malaria parasite infection, while the presence of a ceiling (OR = 0.20, p < 0.01), taking intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women (IPTp) (OR = 0.23, p < 0.01) and having window screens (OR = 0.14, p = 0.01) were protective. Geometric mean parasite density (GMPD) was highest among pregnant women in the second trimester (2190/µL, F = 61.3, p = 0.016), those with more than three gravidities (1022/µL, F = 66.28, p = 0.009), those who presented with sweating (1946/µL, F = 272, p = 0.004) and, unexpectedly, those who were using long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (1536/µL; F = 3.32, p < 0.001), compared with their corresponding counterparts. Conclusion: The prevalence and density of malaria parasite varied with demographics, pregnancy characteristics, clinical manifestations, quality of housing, environmental conditions and malaria prevention methods. Contribution: An update on malaria among pregnant women. Continuous sensitisation on prevention methods is necessary.