Omololu-Aso Joseph, Omololu-Aso Oluwaseun O, Ikumawoyi Toluwalase J, Akinwale Olayinka W, Owolabi Tuesday, Adejuwon Adekunle O and Arwa Shesha
This study is designed to screen the patients’ blood for Plasmodium falciparum and to relate some socio-cultural factors like age, trimester stage of pregnancy, use of drugs, use of insecticides, use of mosquito nets and use of herbs for malaria parasite infections. Blood samples were collected through venous collection process from 54 pregnant women who visited Mother and Child Specialist Hospital, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria for antenatal. Rapid test kit and microscopic test analysis was used in the detection of the presence of Plasmodium falciparum in the obtained blood samples. Out of the 54 pregnant women whose blood samples were taken, 3.7% were below 20 years, 72.2% (21-30 years); 22.2% (31-40 years) and 1.9% (above 40 years). Nine (23.1%) of age group, 21-30, showing prevalence rate with high susceptibility to malaria parasitemia infections. Of the 3 (5.6%) that were in the first trimester stage, no malaria parasitemia was seen in their blood sample and of the 27 (50%) that were in the second trimester stage, 6 (46.2%) were mp positive while 21 (51.2%) were mp negative, Of 24 (44.4%) that were in the third trimester stage, 7 (53.8%) show mp positive, while 17 (41.5%) were mp negative. Of 27 (50.0%) non-mosquito nets users 6 (46.2%) were mp positive while 21 (51.2%) were mp negative while 27 (50.0%) mosquito nets users 7 (53.8%) were mp positive while 20 (48.8%) were mp negative. 41 (75.9%) denied usage of herbs for treatment for malaria while 13 (24.1%) confirmed the use of herbs as treatment for malaria. Of 24 (44.4%) malarial drug users, 6 (46.2%) mp, positive and 18 (43.9%) negative. Of 24 (48.1) insecticide users, 8 (61.5%) were of mp positive while 18 (43.9%) negative. Of 26 (48.1%) pregnant women living in a clean and tidy environment, 4 (30.8%) were mp positive while 22 (53.7%) mp negative. To reduce maternal mortality during pregnancy, development of adequate information on P. falciparum infection risks is highly needed in the study area. Novel technologies to prevent, monitor, diagnose and efficient treatment of malaria mostly among pregnant women must be adopted through Local and National Malaria Control Programme.
