Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part B (2024)

Assessment of the prevalence of malaria in pregnant women and its intervention measures was investigated between March and August, 2022. A total of 428 pregnant women not less than 15 years were randomly recruited from five (5) hospitals in Orlu. Result revealed that age group 31-40years, participants with tertiary education, traders/farmers recorded highest participation. Multigravid (50.5%) participated more in the study, followed by secundigravid (33.9%) and primigravid (15.7%) as the least participants; while 55.4% of the participants were in their 3rd trimester. Overall prevalence (42.9%) of malaria was reported among pregnant women under study. Socio-demographic prevalence of the pregnant women shows that age group 21-30 years (55.2%), participants with tertiary education (56.7%), and civil servants (50.0%) recorded highest prevalence. Also, it was observed that multigravid (51.4%) had highest prevalence. Result observed no difference in the prevalence significant between primigravid and secundigravid likewise in their trimesters. Participants with ITNs and IPTp usage recorded (47.8% versus 40.1%) prevalence. From the assessment, it was observed that 155(36.2%) pregnant women use IPTp only, 59(13.8%) use ITNs only while 214(50.0%) combine both IPTp + ITNs. The participants 239(55.8%) reported fansidar (Sulfadoxine - Pyrimethamine) as the most preferred drug for malaria treatment during pregnancy. Malaria drug with 3 tablets 357(83.4%) was most preferred; most pregnant women 218(50.9%) reported taking the drug once in 2-3months; while the major source of drug procurement reported healthcare facility 281(65.7%). The use of ITNs should be encouraged during pregnancy as well as the use of intermittent preventive therapy in pregnancy (IPTp) to ensure reduction in the incidence of malaria disease.