Prevalence of Malaria in Pregnant Women in Lagos, South-West Nigeria
The Korean Journal of Parasitology
;
: 179-183, 2009.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-156335
ABSTRACT
Prevalence rates reported for malaria in pregnancy in Nigeria vary considerably. The accuracy of results of malaria diagnosis is dependent on training, experience, and motivation of the microscopist as well as the laboratory facility available. Results of training programmes on malaria microscopy have shown low levels of sensitivity and specificity of those involved in malaria diagnosis routinely and for research. This study was done to ascertain the true prevalence of malaria in pregnancy in Lagos, South-West Nigeria. A total of 1,084 pregnant women were recruited into this study. Blood smears stained with Giemsa were used for malaria diagnosis by light microscopy. Malaria infection during pregnancy presents mostly as asymptomatic infection. The prevalence of malaria in this population was 7.7% (95% confidence interval; 6.2-9.4%). Factors identified to increase the risk of malaria infection include young maternal age (< 20 years), and gravidity (primigravida). In conclusion, this study exposes the over-diagnosis of malaria in pregnancy and the need for training and retraining of laboratory staffs as well as establishing the malaria diagnosis quality assurance programme to ensure the accuracy of malaria microscopy results at all levels.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
/
Blood
/
Prevalence
/
Pregnant Women
/
Malaria
/
Microscopy
/
Nigeria
Type of study:
Prevalence study
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
English
Journal:
The Korean Journal of Parasitology
Year:
2009
Type:
Article
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