ABSTRACT
Background: Pregnant women with asymptomatic malaria parasitemia are at increased risk of anaemia, stillbirth, miscarriage, and preterm delivery. The asymptomatic nature of the population makes diagnosis difficult, and there is generally a lack of urgency to address this specific outcome. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and associated factors among pregnant women in West Guji Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 557 asymptomatic pregnant women in the West Guji Zone from February to March 2022. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics. Approximately 2 milliliters of peripheral blood was collected for microscopy to identify species and parasite density. Epi-Data and SPSS were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Binary logistic regression was used to identify risk factors. Results: The prevalence of malaria among asymptomatic pregnant women was 24.10% (95% CI: 20.55%-27.65%). The prevalence of Plasmodium vivax and falciparum prevalence was 73 (54.5%) and 61 (45.5%), respectively. Of the study subjects, 105 (78.4%) had mild parasitemia and 29 (21.6%) had moderate parasitemia. Pregnant women with Plasmodium infection were anaemic in two-thirds (66.5%) of cases. Living near standing water (AOR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.74-3.96), having a history of Plasmodium species infection (AOR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.36-3.31), not using indoor residual spraying (AOR=2.0, 95% CI: 1.32-3.14), and not using insecticide-treated bed nets (AOR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.02-2.55) were all factors that were significantly associated with asymptomatic infection. Pregnant women with Plasmodium infection had a significantly higher rate of anaemia than those who were not infected (OR = 6.31, p = 0.000). Conclusion: Pregnant women had a significant prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium infection. Regular screening, appropriate treatment for those who test positive, and health education for pregnant women should be provided by the West Guji Zone Health Bureau.
ABSTRACT
Background: Even though colostrum discarding hurts child health, little is known about the extent of the problem and its contributing factors in Southern Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of colostrum avoidance practices and associated factors among mothers of children aged less than 12 months in Jinka town, South Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinka Town from March 1 to 30, 2020. A total of 420 mothers having children less than 12 months of age were selected by systematic sampling technique. The data were collected by using pretested interviewer-administered and semi-structured questionnaires. The data was entered using EPI DATA 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis were done. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI at a p-value < 0.05 was estimated to identify statistically significant variables with colostrum avoidance practices. Results: The prevalence of colostrum avoidance practice was 9.8% [95% CI: (6.9-12.5)]. Delayed initiation of breastfeeding [AOR = 9.08(95% CI 4.16-19.83)], lack of breastfeeding counseling [AOR = 2.33(95% CI 1.11-4.87)], home delivery of index child [AOR = 2.48 (95% CI 1.16-5.27)] and poor knowledge on breastfeeding [AOR = 4.55(95% CI 1.95-10.63)] were factors associated with colostrum avoidance practices. Conclusion: Colostrum avoidance practice among mothers of children aged less than 12 months in Jinka town was high. Delayed initiation of breastfeeding, lack of breastfeeding counseling, home delivery, and knowledge of breastfeeding practice were factors associated with colostrum avoidance practice.
