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Prevalence Of Malaria Parasitaemia In Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic At Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

EI Ikeh, SN Akudo, VE Uguru

 

Abstract

The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia in 200 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic (ANC) of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) between April and June 2003 was determined. Geimsa-stained thick and thin blood films were examined microscopically for malaria parasites; the parasite densities were determined on the thick films. Eighteen (9%) of the women were positive for malaria parasites and only Plasmodium falciparum was encountered in the study. Pregnant women in the 15-20 year age group recorded the highest prevalence of 16%, closely followed by the age group 21-25 years with 15.2%. The 26-30, 31-35, 36-40 and 41-50 year age groups recorded 6.7%, 4.5%, 4.1% and 0% prevalence rates respectively. Women in their first trimester recorded 13.3% as against 10.2% and 3.8% for the second and third trimester respectively. The primigravidae had a prevalence of 12.9% as against 7.2% for multigravidae. Most of the women with malaria parasitaemia (89%) had parasite densities of less than 1000/µL of blood. The low prevalence of malaria parasitaemia in the ANC women is attributed to the regular prophylactic malaria therapy and the impacts of the health talks normally given to pregnant women during routine antenatal visits
Key words: Malaria, pregnancy, prevalence, prophylaxisAfr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2005; 6(2): 91-94

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Review Article: Epidemiology of Malaria in Africa

TM Akande, IO Musa

 

Abstract

Malaria is a life threatening parasitic disease transmitted by female anopheles mosquitoes. There are four types of human parasites; Plasmodium vivax, P. malariae, P ovale and P. falciparum. P. falciparum and P. vivax are the most common and P. falciparum, the most deadly type of infection, is most common in sub-Saharan Africa. A large number of environmental factors affect the distribution, seasonality and transmission intensity of malaria. Rainfall provides breeding sites for mosquitoes and increases the humidity, which enhances their survival. While malaria is largely endemic in Africa, varying proportion of countries in the continent are at risk of endemic malaria. Today, approximately 40% of the world population, mostly those living in the world’s poorest countries, is at risk of malaria. This is mostly in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. There are at least 300 million acute cases of malaria each year globally resulting in more than a million deaths, around 90% of these occur in Africa, mostly young children. In areas of stable malaria transmission, very young children and pregnant women are the population at highest risk for malaria morbidity and mortality. The populations most at risk of epidemics are those living in highlands, arid and desert-fringe zones and those living in areas where successful control measures have not been consolidated or maintained.
Key words: Epidemiology, Malaria, Africa

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2005; 6(2): 107 – 111

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Review Article: Vaccine for Malaria – How Far?

GO Oyeyinka

 

Abstract

This is a review of the progress made so far in the effort to produce a malaria vaccine. The problems that have made it impossible to get an effective vaccine for malaria are discussed. Also examined are the current efforts to produce the vaccine and the prospects for an effective vaccine in the future.
Key words: Vaccine, malaria, review.

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2005; 6(2): 139-143

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Review Article: ‘Miasma’ Theory and the Possibility of Malaria Eradication

Ademola O Awoyemi

 

Abstract

Malaria as a disease entity caused by plasmodium species only became recognized towards the end of the 19th Century. Prior to that time, Mal’aria or ‘bad air’ was believed to be the cause of fevers or paludal. This article traces the history of ‘Miasma’ theory which had been accepted for Centuries before the ‘Germ’ theory became established. Comparing the ‘Miasma’ theory with current understanding of Africans about disease causation, it was concluded that there are great similarities. It is therefore recommended that concurrent application of both the ‘Germ’ theory and the ‘Miasma’ theory could lead to a more effective control or even global eradication of malaria.
Key words: Miamsa, malaria, eradication

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2005; 6(2): 153-158