ABSTRACT
Background: Malaria parasitaemia in pregnant women is associated with adverse maternal and fetal complications including anemia. The study aimed at determining prevalence of anemia among pregnant women with asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia at booking in a tertiary hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of consented 659 pregnant recruited consecutively at booking for antenatal care. Structured questionnaire was administered on each subject and then blood was taken for their packed cell volumes estimation using Hawksley`s microhaematocrit reader as well as thick and thin blood films for malaria parasites assessment.The data were analysed using 2008 EPI-info 3.5.1(CDC, Atlanta Georgia, USA).. Results: Out of 659 pregnant women screened, 255 (38.7%) had significant malaria parasitaemia. Among women with significant malaria parasitaemia, 176 (69.0%), 68 (26.7%) and 11 (4.3%) had mild, moderate and severe malaria parasitaemia respectively. Prevalence of anemia (PCV< 33%) in the entire study population screened was 38.4% (253/659). Among pregnant women with significant malaria parasitaemia, 163 of them were anaemic, giving prevalence of anaemia of 63.9% (163/255) while anemia was noted in 22.3% (90/404) of women with no malaria parasitaemia. The risk of anemia was significantly higher as the severity of parasitaemia increases among the study (P < 0.00001). Conclusion: Anaemia in pregnancy is common among asymptomatic women with malaria parasitaemia and the risk increased significantly as the severity of malaria parasitaemia increases depicting malaria as a common cause of anemia in our obstetric population. Routine screening for malaria infestation at booking is therefore recommended.