Low malaria infection after a decade of effective implementation of preventive measures and speciation of Plasmodium species among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Malaria remains a serious public health threat to rural and urban inhabitants of tropical and subtropical poor communities. This study reassessed the malaria infection and its risk factors among pregnant women, and determined the speciation of the genus Plasmodium.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 305 pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in Makurdi, Nigeria. Malaria infection was assessed using Giemsa-stained microscopy and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Socio-demographic, obstetric, and environmental data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using chi-square and logistic regression tests (p<0.05)

RESULTS: The infection was 11 (3.6%). Pregnant women who attended secondary school significantly had higher infection, 6(8.2%) (χ2=14.49, p=0.012), as well as those in the second trimester, 7(7.3%) (χ2=15.47, p=0.035). The significant predictors of infection were the age groups ≤ 20 years and 21-30 years with crude odds ratios (cOR) of 1.17 (%95CI:0.55 - 5.38; p=0.000), and 2.67 (%95CI:1.90-6.18; p=0.000) respectively. Pregnant women with secondary education, and those in the second trimester respectively had significant cOR of 5.40 (%95CI:2.23 - 40.76; p=0.000), and 0.23 (%95CI:0.04 - 1.17; p=0.040). Pregnant women who did not have drainage around their premises had a cOR of 6.62 (%95CI:1.25 - 40.65; p=0.000), as well as those who had stagnant water around premises with cOR=7.24 (%95CI:1.29 - 66.55; p=0.001).

CONCLUSION: The nested PCR found Plasmodium falciparum with two distinct Merozoite Surface Proteins MSP-1 having K1 and MAD20 families, and MSP-2 having FC27 and 3D7 families.