Epidemiology of Malaria Parasites Infection among Pregnant Women in Some Part of Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of malaria parasites infection among pregnant women in some selected areas of Nasarawa State. It was assessed from April to September, 2014 (period of high malaria transmission). Both thick and thin films were made and stained using parasitological standard procedures. Of the 360 samples examined, 316 (88%) had malaria in their blood. Age group 25 – 28 years recorded the highest prevalence rate and mean parasite density of 93.5% and 999 d1-1 and the difference between the pregnant women and age groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Illiterate pregnant women had the highest mean parasite density of 840 dl-1 with (97.3%) prevalence rate. Drugs used were also considered in which local herbs had 100% sensitive to plasmodium falciparum than orthodox curative drugs.

Keywords: Malaria, parasite, pregnancy, plasmodium falciparum