Universal versus selective screening for gestational diabetes mellitus among antenatal clinic attendees in Abakaliki: using the one-step 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test.

AIM: To compare universal screening with selective risk factor based screening for GDM, using the one-step 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). MATERIALS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional, comparison between universal and selective risk factor based screening for GDM, among 400 antenatal care clients at Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA). All the participants had 75 g OGTT at 24-28 weeks of gestation and risk factor screening for GDM. All 400 participants formed the universal group while participants with one or more of the considered risk factors formed the selective risk factor group. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. Statistical comparison was done using t- test for continuous variables. Logistics regression was used to determine the level of associations of the independent predictors for hyperglycemia. Level of significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The point prevalence of GDM using universal and selective screening were 11.51 and 7.93% respectively, giving a selective screening miss rate of 31.11%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 73.58, 48.82, 19.12 and 92.51% respectively for the selective risk factor based screening compared to universal screening. On multivariate analysis; age ≥ 35 years, weight ≥ 90 kg, history of previous GDM and hypertension were significantly related to the development of hyperglycemia. CONCLUSION: Selective risk factor based screening missed 31.11% of patients with GDM when compare to Universal screening with one step 75 g OGTT. Universal screening for GDM using the one step 75 g OGTT is recommended for pregnant women and more studies are needed to compare pregnancy outcomes for pregnant women diagnosed with GDM with and without risk factors.

Knowledge and Practices of Health-Care Waste Management among Health Workers in Lassa Fever Treatment Facility in Southeast Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The threat of endemic, emerging, and reemerging infectious diseases, especially the viral hemorrhagic fevers demands effective health-care waste management (HCWM) among health-care workers. The study was intended to assess the knowledge and practices of HCWM among the cleaning staff in a Lassa fever (LF) treatment facility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 234 cleaning staff of Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki recruited by systematic random sampling. Data collection was with semi-structured questionnaires. Knowledge and practices of respondents were assessed using cutoff score of 75%; score of 75% and above being interpreted as good and <75% as poor. Data were analyzed using Epi™ Info Version 7.2. RESULTS: There were 177 (75.6%) female and 57 (24.4%) male cleaning staff with a mean age of 33.4 years (±8.3). Among all the respondents, 18 (7.7%) had no formal education, while others had varying levels of education (primary, 43 [18.4%]; secondary, 133 [56.8%]; tertiary, 40 [17.1%]). Only 134 (57.3%) of the respondents had ever been trained on HCWM, of which 77 (57.5%) of them were trained in 2018. The proportion of respondents with good knowledge of HCWM was 41.5%. In addition, only 83 (35.5%) properly categorized the body parts, body fluids, and fetuses as pathological waste. About one-third, 77 (33.3%), had knowledge of steps in HCWM and 45.3% knew of diseases transmitted through health-care waste with 171 (62.8%) identifying LF as one of the diseases. The proportion of respondents with good practices of HCWM was 53.9% with only 131 (56.0%) segregating waste in specified color-coded containers. Among the factors examined, none was significantly associated with knowledge and practice of participants on HCWM. CONCLUSION: The proportions of the cleaning staff with good knowledge and practices of HCWM were low. There is a need to train and retrain hospital staff on proper HCWM as well as need for proper supervision and monitoring.

Pentazocine Alone Versus Pentazocine Plus Diclofenac for Pain Relief in the First 24 Hours after Caesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Study.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative pain is one of the main postoperative adverse outcomes following caesarean section. Its management still remains a challenge especially in a low resource setting. AIM: To compare the efficacy of intramuscular pentazocine alone and combined intramuscular pentazocine with diclofenac for pain relief within 24 hours after caesarean section. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a double blind randomized control study of post caesarean section pain management of 140 participants between April and December, 2015 at the Federal Teaching hospital, Abakaliki. Inclusion criteria involved consenting and low risk parturients who had caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. The participants were randomly grouped into Pentazocine-Placebo (PP) group and Pentazocine-Diclofenac (PD) group. The PP group received pentazocine 30 mg every 4 hours for 24 hours and 3 milliliters of water for injection as placebo 12 hourly for 24 hours while the PD group received pentazocine 30 mg every 4 hours and diclofenac 75 mg every 12 hours for 24 hours. The level of pain control was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The data was analysed with IBM SPSS version 20.0. The level of significance was set at < 0.05. RESULTS: The use of PD for 24 hour post caesarean section analgesia achieved better pain relief, faster onset of postoperative ambulation, bowel sound auscultation and oral feeding than the use of PP (p-value ≤0.002). However, the use of PD is more expensive than PP (p-value =0.0001). There was no difference between the two groups of participants on the passage of flatus and duration of hospital stay (p-value≥0.05). The use of PP was associated with more maternal side effects (p-value=0.009). There was no difference on the level of satisfaction between the two groups of participants (p-value≥0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of PD for post caesarean section analgesia is more effective in achieving a satisfactory pain relief and has less side effects.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Healthcare Managers to Medical Waste Management and Occupational Safety Practices: Findings from Southeast Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Awareness of appropriate waste management procedures and occupational safety measures is fundamental to achieving a safe work environment, and ensuring patient and staff safety. AIM: This study was conducted to assess the attitude of healthcare managers to medical waste management and occupational safety practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 54 hospital administrators in Ebonyi state. Semi-structured questionnaires were used for qualitative data collection and analyzed with SPSS statistics for windows (2011), version 20.0 statistical software (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). RESULTS: Two-fifth (40%) of healthcare managers had received training on medical waste management and occupational safety. Standard operating procedure of waste disposal was practiced by only one hospital (1.9%), while 98.1% (53/54) practiced indiscriminate waste disposal. Injection safety boxes were widely available in all health facilities, nevertheless, the use of incinerators and waste treatment was practiced by 1.9% (1/54) facility. However, 40.7% (22/54) and 59.3% (32/54) of respondents trained their staff and organize safety orientation courses respectively. Staff insurance cover was offered by just one hospital (1.9%), while none of the hospitals had compensation package for occupational hazard victims. Over half (55.6%; 30/54) of the respondents provided both personal protective equipment and post exposure prophylaxis for HIV. CONCLUSION: There was high level of non-compliance to standard medical waste management procedures, and lack of training on occupational safety measures. Relevant regulating agencies should step up efforts at monitoring and regulation of healthcare activities and ensure staff training on safe handling and disposal of hospital waste.

Obstetric morbidity and socio-cultural predictors of ruptured uterus among women in Southeast Nigeria.

This study determined the incidence, obstetric morbidity and the socio-cultural factors associated with ruptured uterus. A 6-year prospective review of ruptured uterus and an enquiry into socio-cultural barriers to specialised care was conducted. The incidence of ruptured uterus was 12 per 1000 deliveries. Occurrence was common in uneducated (78/116; 67.2%), unbooked (110/116; 94.8%) and rural women (112/116; 96.6%). The major causes were prolonged obstructed labour (104/116; 89.7%) and injudicious use of oxytocics (90/116; 77.6%). The maternal and perinatal case fatality rates were 18.1% and 96.6%, respectively. Complications resulted from haemorrhage and sepsis. Lack of birth plan (97/116; 79.3%) and unskilled birth attendance (110/116; 94.8%) were major socio-cultural risk factors. There was an association between education (p = 0.001), parity (p = 0.002), residence (<0.001), type of birth attendance (<0.001) and ruptured uterus. Women in low-income settings face threats of complications and death from uterine rupture, owing to preventable socio-cultural barriers of accessing specialised obstetric care.

Obstetric benefits of health insurance: A comparative analysis of obstetric indices and outcome of enrollees and non-enrollees in southeast Nigeria.

This study determined the obstetric benefits and compared the obstetric indices and pregnancy outcome of enrollees and non-enrollees of the national health insurance scheme (NHIS). A prospective cohort study of enrollees and non-enrollees of NHIS was conducted over 2 years. Data was analysed with Epi-info statistical software. Malaria (25.3% versus 8.0%, p value ≤0.001), anaemia (11.3% versus 3.3%, p value ≤0.0001), preterm delivery (8.0% versus 2.7% p value = 0.00001), antenatal default rate (22.7% versus 6.7%, p value = 0.0001) and maternal death (2.7% versus 0.7%, p value = 0.00001) were higher in the non-insured. Singleton low birth weight (9.3% versus 2.7%, p value = 0.00001) and new born admission (10.7% versus 4.7%, p value = 0.00001) were also more in non-enrollee, with higher perinatal deaths (6.7% versus 2.0%, p value = 0.00001). Women managed under the Nigerian NHIS scheme had better maternal and perinatal indices, therefore, effort should be scaled up to ensure universal health insurance coverage for all parturient and their newborn.

Contraceptive prevalence and preference in a cohort of south-east Nigerian women.

BACKGROUND: Rates of fertility, population growth, and maternal deaths in Nigeria are among the highest in the world, with an estimated 4% of all births being unwanted and 7% mistimed. These are caused mainly by nonuse, inappropriate choice, and difficulty in accessing contraceptive commodities. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors influencing the choice and sources of contraceptive options among market women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. METHODS: This was a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional, descriptive study involving 330 market women of reproductive age in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A survey was carried out to identify their knowledge, use, and sources of contraception and the factors that influence their contraceptive practices. RESULTS: Knowledge of contraception was high (275 [83.3%]), and 229 (69.4%) of the study population approved of contraceptive use. However, only 93 (28.3%) of the respondents were currently using any form of contraception. Fifty-four women (16.3%) were using modern methods. The commonly used forms of modern contraception were the barrier method (male condoms, 27 [8.2%]), the oral contraceptive pill (10 [3.0%]), injectables (8 [2.5%]), and the intrauterine contraceptive device (7 [2.0%]). The most common source of contraceptive products was patent medicine dealers (58 [51%]). The main barriers to use of contraception were desire for more children (86 [26.1%]), religious prohibition (62 [18.8%]), spousal disapproval (32 [9.7%]), and the perceived side effects of modern contraceptives (25 [7.6%]). There was a significant association for approval of contraception when the model was adjusted for religion (odds ratio [OR] 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18-0.84; P=0.02); educational status (OR 2.84, 95% CI 0.96-8.40; P=0.04); parity (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.09-2.85; P=0.03); and social class (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.26-5.11; P=0.01). CONCLUSION: There is good knowledge about contraception among Nigerian women, but use of these products is low. The main barriers to use of contraception are the desire for more children, religious prohibition, and spousal disapproval.

Evaluation of clinical breast examination and breast ultrasonography among pregnant women in Abakaliki, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer in pregnancy accounts for 2%-3% of all breast cancers. The increased vascularity and lymphatic drainage from the breast during pregnancy potentiate the metastatic spread of the cancer to the regional lymph nodes. However, the increased breast density in pregnancy makes it difficult to detect breast lesions early. AIM: To evaluate and compare the detection rate of breast lesions using clinical breast examination (CBE) and breast ultrasonography among pregnant women. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional comparative study involving antenatal clinic attendees at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, was conducted between March 3, 2014, and December 31, 2014. CBE and breast ultrasonography were done in the participants at booking and repeated at 6 weeks postpartum. Fine-needle aspiration cytology and histology were done in women with suspicious breast lesions on CBE or breast ultrasonography or both. Data analysis was both descriptive and inferential at the 95% confidence level using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 17.0. Test of significance was done using chi-square test. A P-value of less than or equal to 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 320 pregnant women participated in the study. Of these, 267 (83.4%) were aware of breast cancer. Although more lesions were detected with breast ultrasonography than by CBE, there was no statistically significant difference between them (25 versus 17; P=0.26). The histology of the lesions revealed 21 benign lesions and 4 normal breast tissues. The sensitivity of breast ultrasonography was 95.2%, while that of CBE was 66.7%. The specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were similar between CBE and breast ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: The detection rates of breast lesions by both CBE and breast ultrasonography were equivalent during pregnancy and 6 weeks postpartum, making CBE a convenient and very cost-effective method of detecting breast lesions in the low-risk population. However, both CBE and breast ultrasonography should be done in women with high risk of breast malignancy.

A 10-year appraisal of cesarean delivery and the associated fetal and maternal outcomes at a teaching hospital in southeast Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The global rise in cesarean delivery rate has been a major source of public health concern. AIM: To appraise the cesarean deliveries and the associated fetal and maternal outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a case series with data collected retrospectively from the records of patients delivered by cesarean section at the Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki over a 10-year period, from January 2002 to December 2011. Ethical approval was obtained. RESULTS: Of 14,198 deliveries, 2,323/14,198 (16.4%) were by cesarean deliveries. The overall increase of cesarean delivery was 11.1/10 (1.1%) per annum from 184/1,512 (12.2%) in 2002 to 230/986 (23.3%) in 2011. Of 2,097 case folders studied, 1,742/2,097 (83.1%) were delivered at term, and in 1,576/2,097 (75.2%), the cesarean deliveries were emergencies. The common indications for cesarean delivery were previous cesarean scars 417/2,097 (19.9%) and obstructed labor 331/2,097 (15.8%). There were 296 perinatal deaths, giving a perinatal mortality rate of (296/2,197) 134.7/1,000 births. Also, 129/2,097 (6.1%) maternal case fatalities occurred, giving a maternal mortality rate of 908.6/100,000 total births. Hemorrhage 57/129 (44.2%) and sepsis 41/129 (32.6%) were the major causes. CONCLUSION: The study recorded a significant increase in cesarean delivery rate. Previous cesarean scars and obstructed labors were the main indications. Perinatal and maternal case fatalities were huge. Hence, there is need for continued community education for its reduction.

Seroprevalence of human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) antibodies among blood donors at Enugu, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Human T-cell lymphotrophic/leukemia virus (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus implicated in transfusion-transmitted infection. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HTLV-1 antibodies among blood donors at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Eastern Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on consented participants over 4 months. A total of 300 blood donors were recruited consecutively from the blood bank. The serum of the collected 5 mL of blood obtained from each participant was stored at -20°C until required for analysis. The serum samples were then analyzed for antibodies to HTLV-1 using a one-step incubation double-antigen sandwich ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kit. Participants' demographic characteristics and degree of exposure to the risk factors associated with HTLV-1 infection were captured using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis of results was done using SPSS version 17. RESULTS: Of the 300 blood donors, 288 (96%) were male, while 12 (4%) were female. The average age of the blood donors was 26.85±8.52 years. The age group with the highest representation among the blood donors were those aged between 21 and 25 years. Only 22.3% of the blood donors were above 30 years. None of the 300 screened blood donors tested positive to HTLV-1 antibodies. Hence, the seroprevalence of HTLV-1 infection among blood donors was 0%. Of the blood donors, 5% had history of previous sexually transmitted disease, while 34.7% used condoms during sexual intercourse. CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence obtained in this study cannot statistically support the justification of routine screening of blood donors for HTLV-1 infection. More prospective and multicentered studies are required to determine the infectivity of HTLV-1 in blood donors in Nigeria.

Perception of assent in biomedical research among medical specialists and trainees in Abakaliki, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Assent is the child's affirmative agreement to participate in research. Consent from parents and assent from children are required in research involving children. OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge, perception, and level of practice of assent in children among medical specialists and trainees in research work as well as the level of ethical norms observed during research. METHODS: A semistructural questionnaire was designed for a cross-sectional survey of medical specialists and trainees at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki at their different departments in the months of January and February 2013. The questionnaires were completed and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 113 questionnaires were distributed, correctly completed, and analyzed. The mean age of the respondents was 36.2±5.9 years, with a range of 25-55 years. The mean duration of practice was 6.3±3.9 years, with a range of 3-20 years. The majority of respondents were trainees (106, 93.8%). There was no significant association between sociodemographic variables of the respondents and the practice of obtaining assent in research involving children (P>0.05). Ethical clearance was obtained by all medical specialists during their research, but none of those whose research involved children got assent from the children. The majority of medical specialists (80%) and trainees (65.1%) support the practice of assent as a mandatory prerequisite in ethical study. Most of the medical specialists (83.3%) and trainees (65.1%) agree that parents could be influenced by other considerations and benefits in enrolling their children in research. Assent after consent in research involving children in African setting was acknowledged as a necessity by 66.7% of medical specialists and 75.2% of trainees. CONCLUSION: Assent was observed as a necessary ethical issue in research involving children in this study; however, it is often not sought in our setting.

Correlates of poor perinatal outcomes in non-hospital births in the context of weak health system: the Nigerian experience.

BACKGROUND: Nigeria's high perinatal mortality rate (PNMR) could be most effectively reduced by targeting factors that are associated with increased newborn deaths. Low access to skilled birth attendants (SBAs) and weak health system are recognized factors associated with high PNMR but other socio-demographic and reproductive factors could have significant influences as well. Identification of the major factors associated with high PNMR would be required in designing interventions to improve perinatal outcomes. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2008 were used to estimate the PNMR of non-hospital births in identified socio-demographic and reproductive situations that are known to influence PNMR. The estimated PNMR were compared using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The PNMR was 36 per 1000 live births. North central region had the lowest PNMR while the south east region had the highest rate (odds ratio 1.59; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.45). Other correlates of high PNMR were belonging to the poorest wealth quintile (odds ratio 1.87; 95% CI: 1.30, 2.70), maternal age group 15-19 years (odds ratio 1.59; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.22), multiple birth (odds ratio 3.12; 95% CI: 2.11, 4.59), history of previous perinatal death (odds ratio 3.31; 95% CI: 2.73, 4.02), birth interval shorter than 18 months (odds ratio 1.65; 95% CI: 1.26, 2.17) and having a small birth size (odds ratio 2.56; 95% CI 1.79, 3.69). Birth attendant, place of birth, parity, maternal education and rural/urban residence had no association with PNMR. CONCLUSIONS: Reproductive factors that require midwifery skills were found to contribute most to PNMR. We recommend general strengthening of the health system, recruitment of SBAs and retraining of available birth attendants with emphasis on identification and referral of complicated cases. Family planning should be a core MCH activity to address the issues of teenage pregnancy and short pregnancy intervals.

Seroprevalence and correlates of human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus type 1 antibodies among pregnant women at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus (HTLV)-1 is a retrovirus transmitted vertically from mother to child parenterally and sexually by infected lymphocytes. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HTLV-1 antibodies and associated risk factors for HTLV-1 infection among pregnant women in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, southeast Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out from July to October 2010. Two hundred pregnant women were recruited consecutively from the antenatal clinic. Five milliliters of blood was collected from each of the participants into a plain sterile bottle and allowed to clot. The serum obtained was stored at -20°C until required for analysis. The serum samples were then analyzed for antibodies to HTLV-1 using a one-step incubation double-antigen sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Participants' demographic characteristics and degree of exposure to the risk factors associated with HTLV-1 infection were captured using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis of results was done using SPSS version 17. RESULTS: The average age of the pregnant women was 28.94 years (standard deviation 4.17). The age-group with the highest representation was those between the ages of 26 and 30 years. Thirty-six percent of the population was above 30 years old. The result of the tests showed that only one respondent, a 31-year-old pregnant woman tested positive for HTLV-1 antibodies. Therefore, the seroprevalence of HTLV-1 antibodies among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital was 0.5%, with a 95% confidence interval of 0%-2.8%. Some of the sociodemographic risk factors of HTLV-1 infection found to be applicable to the 31-year-old woman who tested positive included positive history of previous sexually transmitted diseases, high parity, low socioeconomic status, female sex, and age above 30 years. The pregnant women that participated in this study were exposed to risk factors and behaviors associated with HTLV-1 infection. Some of the pregnant women (17.5%) had contracted sexually transmitted diseases, and 80.5% did not use condoms during coitus. CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence obtained in this study was low, though it is 100% for anyone infected. More prospective and multicenter studies are required to determine the infectivity of HTLV-1 among pregnant women in Nigeria.

Determinants of decision-to-intervention time in the management and therapeutic outcome of emergency gynecological surgeries in south east Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Prompt and timely response in the management of gynecological surgical cases can significantly affect the therapeutic surgical outcome of patients in emergency situations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the decision-to-intervention time (DIT), its determinants, and the significance in the therapeutic outcome of emergency gynecological surgeries managed at a federal teaching hospital in south east Nigeria over an 18-month period. METHODS: This was a prospective descriptive study of 105 emergency gynecological cases managed at a federal teaching hospital over an 18-month period. Patients were recruited at the point of admission and followed up until discharge for outcome. Data were abstracted with a data entry pro forma and then analyzed with the Epi Info™ statistical software version 7.0. RESULTS: The incidence of gynecological surgical emergencies was 5.1% of the total gynecological cases managed during the study period. The mean DIT was 4.25 (range 1.45-5.50) hours with delay in intervention, mainly due to delays in securing blood/blood products and other materials for resuscitation (46.7%) and a lack of finance (15.2%). Six maternal deaths were recorded, giving a case fatality ratio of 5.7%, while the commonest maternal complications associated with the delays were hemorrhage (61.9%) and the need for blood transfusion (57.1%), respectively. The risk ratio of losing ≥1,000 mL of blood, anemia, hemorrhagic shock, and wound infection in those with DIT ≥120 minutes was statistically greater and significant at 95% confidence interval. CONCLUSION: Inadequacies in health care services and policies due to poor infrastructure, organizational framework, and financing were the major determinants of the prolonged DIT and therapeutic outcomes.

Outcomes of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in neonates in a tertiary hospital, southeast Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Malaria infestation during pregnancy is mostly asymptomatic and untreated especially in unbooked pregnancies. It presents with almost all the fetal complications of overt malaria in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia on the neonates of unbooked parturients delivered at term at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in the labour ward complex of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki from March to May 2012. Unbooked pregnant women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and gave consent were consecutively recruited. Cord blood and placenta tissue were collected for haemoglobin concentration determination and histology, respectively. Birth weights were determined with an electronic weighing machine. Statistical Analysis was done with 2008 Epi Info™ software and level of significant was set at P-value <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 250 unbooked parturients were recruited, of which 194 (77.6%) had asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia while 227 (90.8%) had placental parasitisation. The prevalence of low birth weight in the study was 16.4%. There was significant relationship between asymptomatic malaria parasitemia and birth weight (X(2) = 43.70, P-value < 0.001). There were no low-birth-weight deliveries among paturients without placental parasitemia. No neonate, however, had anaemia in the study. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic malaria parasitemia and placental parasitisation by malaria parasites contribute to the outcome of the foetal birth weight. Asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia and placental parasitaemia did not result in a corresponding foetal anaemia on babies delivered.