Malaria Burden in Pregnancy at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala; Uganda

Pregnancy-associated malaria is a major global health concern. To assess the Plasmodium falciparum burden in pregnancy we conducted a cross-sectional study at Mulago Hospital in Kampala; Uganda. Malaria prevalence by each of three measures-peripheral smear; placental smear; and placental histology was 9(35/391); 11.3(44/389); and 13.9(53/382) respectively. Together; smear and histology data yielded an infection rate of 15.5(59/380) of active infections and 4.5(17/380) of past infections; hence 20had been or were infected when giving birth. A crude parity dependency was observed with main burden being concentrated in gravidae 1 through gravidae 3. Twenty-two percent were afflicted by anaemia and 12.2delivered low birthweight babies. Active placental infection and anaemia showed strong association (OR=2.8) whereas parity and placental infection had an interactive effect on mean birthweight (P=.036). Primigravidae with active infection and multigravidae with past infection delivered on average lighter babies. Use of bednet protected significantly against infection (OR=0.56) whilst increased haemoglobin level protected against low birthweight (OR=0.83) irrespective of infection status. Albeit a high attendance at antenatal clinics (96.8); there was a poor coverage of insecticide-treated nets (32) and intermittent preventive antimalarial treatment (41.5)

Unintended Pregnancy And Induced Abortion In Uganda: Causes and Consequences

Because abortion is banned in Uganda (except to save a woman's life) and because strong social stigma surrounds the issue; many women try to conceal their unplanned pregnancies and abortions.The clandestine nature of abortion makes it difficult to measure its incidence in Uganda and allows policymakers to avoid dealing with the problem. Yet the serious health consequences of abortions carried out in unsafe conditions by untrained or poorly trained practitioners impose a heavy burden on women; families and Uganda's already overburdened health care system. Studies of womenhospitalized for the treatment of complications from unsafe abortion have documented the tragic burden of morbidity and death borne by many Ugandan women. New research findings now make it possible to fill in the many gaps in our understanding of the prevalence; causes and consequences of induced abortion in Uganda