Malaria and anemia among pregnant women living in communities along the coast of Lagos Lagoon, South-west Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Malaria parasitemia during pregnancy is a most important public health problem to governments and to individuals in malaria endemic regions of the world. Moderate or severe anemia during pregnancy may be associated with heavy parasitic infestation. However, malaria may not be the only cause of anemia in pregnant women in developing countries. Objective: To determine the prevalence of malaria and anemia in different trimester, gravida and age group Study design: A cross-sectional study that recruited 113 pregnant women who were screened for the malaria parasites and anemia. Setting: The study was conducted in the antenatal clinic of two general hospitals in Ikorodu Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. Participants: The pregnant women recruited for this study were living in communities on the coasts of the Lagos Lagoon. Measurements: Socio-demographic profile, obstetrics and gynecologic history and other relevant data of the pregnant women were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire instrument in an interview. Blood samples were analyzed for Packed Cell Volume (PCV) level and malaria parasites Results: Malaria prevalence was 19.5% and the prevalence of anemia was 81.4%. The highest prevalence of malaria (27.5%) occurred in the 3rd trimester and among primigravida. The highest prevalence of anemia was in the 2nd trimester and among the multigravida. Those with severe anemia were approximately five times more likely to have malaria parasitemia (χ²=8.16, P-value=0.004, OR=4.84, 95% CI: 1.53, 15.35) compared to all other pregnant women. Women in the third trimester were 1.25 as likely to develop severe anemia than those in first or second trimester (χ²=0.18, P-value=0.69, OR=1.25, 95% CI=0.41, 3.82). Secundigravida were 1.60 times more likely to develop moderate anemia (χ²=1.20, P-value=0.27, OR=1.60, 95% CI=0.69, 3.76) and multipara were 1.35 times more likely to develop mild anemia (χ²=024, P-value=0.62, OR=1.35, 95% CI=0.41, 4.47). Regardless of whether the pregnant woman was parasitized or not, the mean PCV of those who consumed herbal tea (28.2±5.2) was significantly lower (t=-2.24, P-value=0.01) than those who did not consume herbal tea (30.8±6.5) in pregnancy. Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia in pregnancy was very high while the prevalence of malaria was very low. Anemia was commoner in the 2nd trimester and among multigravida while malaria was more prevalent in the 3rd trimester and among primigravida. Consumption of herbal tea was associated with low Packed Cell Volume.

Prevalence of Anaemia (Reduced Packed Cell Volume) Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Katsina Metropolis

“…These authors stated that P. falciparum was directly linked with maternal death in a low transmission setting while in a high transmission setting, it was an indirect cause of mortality through maternal anaemia. The prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women, in this study, was also found to be highest in the second trimester with prevalence of 45.31%, unlike that reported by Olukosi and Afolabi (2018) in Lagos in which their study revealed first trimester having a low prevalence of 27.5%. but with a higher prevalence of anaemia (84.1%).…”

“…The prevalence of anaemia in the present study was 44.0%, This agrees with a study conducted by Obi (2021) who reported a prevalence of maternal anemia to be 41.6% in Delta State, Nigeria. Rouamba et al (2021) Ilorin and Olukosi and Afolabi (2018) in their study in Lagos, Nigeria had higher results of 81.4% prevalence of anaemia. According to Desai et al (2007) and McClure et al (2014), malaria infection is highly associated with anaemia and poor pregnancy outcome at all levels of pregnancy.…”

“…The sample size was calculated with a prevalence of 20% for malaria in pregnancy obtained from a previous report on malaria and anaemia among pregnant women living in communities along the coast of Lagos Lagoon, South-west Nigeria (Olukosi and Afolabi, 2018). The sample size was estimated using the formula below;…”

COVID-19 in Nigeria: Implications for Management of Related Co-morbidities, Prevalent Public Health Challenges, and Future Epidemic Preparedness

“…The prognosis of COVID-19 and malaria co-infection is also a major cause for concern, particularly in vulnerable malaria populations such as in children and pregnant women with malaria-associated anaemia(M Afolabi and Olukosi, 2018;Oladeinde et al, 2012). Their already compromised immunity raises concerns regarding the effect of co-infection with COVID-19.…”

Passive Surveillance of Malaria in Pregnant Women, Non-pregnant Women and Children Under 5 Years of Age in Bannu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

“…Pregnant women are more vulnerable than non-pregnant women to growing problems, such as pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and hypoglycemia (6)(7)(8). Around 30 million pregnant African women are in danger of malaria infection, whereas 56 million suffer from anemia (9,10). P. falciparum is the most common cause of severe clinical manifestations among the other malaria species, leading to maternal anemia, low birth weight, and pre-term birth.…”