Prevalence of Malaria and Frequency of Severe Symptoms among Pregnant Women in Pawe Hospital, North Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Although the current trend of malaria infection showing a declining pattern, it is a major cause of death in some parts of the world. Majority of deaths due to malaria are frequently occurring in sub-Saharan Africa among biologically risked groups. Thus, this study was designed to assess prevalence of severe malaria symptoms among pregnant women in Pawe hospital, Northwestern Ethiopia. Febrile pregnant women, seeking medication for malaria infection in the hospital during the study period were recruited in the study. Socio-demographic characteristics, physical and clinical features of uncomplicated and complicated malaria symptoms were assessed following standard parasitological and clinical procedures. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software (version 20.0 Armok, NY: IBM Crop). During the study period, a total of 124 pregnant women were malaria positive, showing a prevalence of 16.31% (n=124/760). Of these, 73.55% (n=89) were infected with Plasmodium falciparum. The rest were positive forP. vivax and had mixed infections. Severe malaria symptoms such as respiratory distress, confusion, severe anemia, hyperparasitemia, prostration, and hemoglobinuria were observed among assessed malaria infected pregnant women. The study revealed the high prevalence of malaria infection in the study sites. In addition, significant number of the pregnant women assessed were developed severe life threatening malaria symptoms.