Occurrence of malaria parasite amid maternal attendants of antenatal at the primary health centre in Rumuolumeni, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The occurrence of malaria parasites among maternal attendants (pregnant women) of antenatal care in Primary Health Centre Rumuolumeni, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria was studied over 12 weeks from February to April 2021. Venous blood samples were collected randomly from 92 pregnant women into Ethylene-Diamine Tetra Acetic (EDTA) bottles and properly labelled. The samples were transported to the Research Laboratory of the Department of Biology, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni for microscopy. Thick and thin films were made to examine each blood sample stained with Giemsa stain following standard parasitological methods. Data obtained were analysed using chi-square statistics in SPSS version 23 to determine the association between variables. The result showed that 76(82.6%) were positive for the malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) of the total blood samples examined. Age-related prevalence showed that 29–38 years had the highest prevalence of 33.7% while the 49 and above age group had the least prevalence of 10.9%. The difference was statistically non-significant (p>0.05). The multigravidae had the greatest infection rate (52.1%), with the lowest occurring in the secundigravidae (9.8%). The difference in parity was statistically significant (p=0.005). Maternal attendants in the 3rd trimester showed the highest infection rate, 44.5%, while those in the 1st trimester were least infected, 17.4%. Statistically, there was no significant difference concerning gestational age (trimester) (p = 0.305). This investigation has revealed the high burden of malaria among maternal attendants of ante-natal care in the study area and establishes that it remains a public health problem. Intensified ante-natal care, health education, and primarily the distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are strongly recommended to combat and avoid complications associated with malaria parasite infection during pregnancy