PREVALENCE OF MALARIA AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE IN HEALTH INSTITUTIONS IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum in pregnancy is an important and major contributing factor to the high 
maternal morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan African. About 47% of pregnant women are diagnosed with 
malaria in Nigeria. Pregnant women compared to non pregnant women are at an increased risk of malaria and the 
severity of the clinical manifestation experienced by these women and their foeti depend on the level of pre
pregnancy immunity. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of malaria 
among pregnant women that attend antenatal clinics in health institutions in Kano State, Nigeria. A health 
institution based cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 
20. The overall prevalence of malaria was 8.2% and the prominent species was Plasmodium falciparum (5.4%). 
Individuals in the third trimester were more infected (5.0%) than those in second (2.4%) and first (1%). 
Multigravidae (AOR: 0.1, 95% CI: 0.001-0.07), using ITN always (AOR: 0.01, 95% CI: 0.03-0.31), using Indoor 
IRS in the last twelve months (AOR: 0.02, 95% CI: 0. 01-0.05) and family size 1-3 (AOR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.01-0.90) 
were identified as protective factors of malaria among pregnant women. The overall prevalence of malaria in 
pregnant women requires special attention. Efforts should be made to minimize the problem by promoting frequent 
visiting of antenatal clinics and supplying bed nets. The paper concluded that the prevalence of malaria among 
pregnant women in the study area was relatively high. The paper recommended that pregnant women should be 
health educated to appreciate the use of these protective measures and these should be provided at subsidized cost 
to ensure compliance.