Prevalence Of Malaria During Pregnacy And Effectiveness Of Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine.

Abstract

Malaria during pregnancy could result in prematurity, foetal anaemia, intrauterine growth, retardation, low birth weight, stillbirth, congenital malaria, increased perinatal mortality. Taking malaria prophylaxis and parity are factors that affect malaria status during pregnancy. The study sought to determine the prevalence of malaria during pregnancy, and effectiveness of Sulphadoxine- Pyrimethamine in treating malaria during pregnancy, and to find factors that influence malaria status during pregnancy. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Assin Fosu in the Assin North District at the St. Francis Xavier Hospital. Data was obtained from Ante-natal care and laboratory record books, and questionnaires. The data was analysed with STATA version 16 to find frequencies, percentages, and association for categorical variables. A total 202 pregnant women at various stages of gestation participated in the study. Analysis of the data showed that a little percentage (4.95%) of pregnant women presented with malaria during pregnancy. There was association between malaria status and Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine use (0.000), parity (0.007) and sickle cell trait (0.022). Exactly, 97.52% of participants were on Sulphadoxine- Pyrimethamine. Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine showed an adjusted odds ratio (AOR = 0.00, 95% CI = 0.00 – 0.11), p-value = 0.00). Prevalence of malaria during pregnancy in women visiting St. Francis Xavier Hospital is low. Taking Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine reduces the chances of being infected with malaria during pregnancy.