Malaria Burden in Pregnancy at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Malaria Research and Treatment
Abstract
Pregnancy-associated malaria is a major global health concern. To assess the Plasmodium falciparum burden in pregnancy we conducted
a cross-sectional study atMulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.Malaria prevalence by each of three measures—peripheral
smear, placental smear, and placental histology was 9%(35/391), 11.3% (44/389), and 13.9% (53/382) respectively. Together, smear
and histology data yielded an infection rate of 15.5% (59/380) of active infections and 4.5% (17/380) of past infections; hence 20%
had been or were infected when giving birth. A crude parity dependency was observed with main burden being concentrated in
gravidae 1 through gravidae 3. Twenty-two percent were afflicted by anaemia and 12.2% delivered low birthweight babies. Active
placental infection and anaemia showed strong association (OR = 2.8) whereas parity and placental infection had an interactive
effect on mean birthweight (P = .036). Primigravidae with active infection and multigravidae with past infection delivered on
average lighter babies. Use of bednet protected significantly against infection (OR = 0.56) whilst increased haemoglobin level
protected against lowbirthweight (OR = 0.83) irrespective of infection status. Albeit a high attendance at antenatal clinics (96.8%),
there was a poor coverage of insecticide-treated nets (32%) and intermittent preventive antimalarial treatment (41.5%).
Description
Keywords
Malaria, Pregnancy, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda
Citation
Namusoke, F., Rasti, N., Kironde, F., Wahlgren, M., & Mirembe, F. (2010). Malaria burden in pregnancy at mulago national referral hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Malaria Research and Treatment, 2010. doi:10.4061/2010/913857