Risk Factors for Malaria Infection among Pregnant Women in Nigeria

Malaria, a disease caused by an infected female Anopheles mosquito, is completely preventable, treatable and curable. The disease is considered not just a regional but global priority with a death toll of about 400,000 people globally every year. The most vulnerable group to malaria and its negative consequences are the pregnant women and children under the age of five years. In pregnancy, malaria predisposes expectant mothers to an increased risk of anaemia, spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, premature deliveries, intra-uterine growth retardation and low birth weight babies, and these are all important causes of infant mortality. Accordingly, malaria during pregnancy remains a serious public health problem. The aim of this study was to ascertain the occurrence of malaria and possible risk factors for malaria infection among pregnant women in Nigeria. Nigeria, with a population of over two million, is the most populous country in Africa and occupying seventh position in the world. In Nigeria, there are about 110 million clinically diagnosed malaria cases and 300,000 malaria-related childhood deaths annually. Malaria in Nigeria, which already overburdens the already weakened health system, adversely affects the social and economic sectors of the country. Pregnant women are among the most susceptible to malaria infection. Knowledge of their malaria infection status is an important yardstick to measure the effectiveness of any malaria control programme.

Keywords: Malaria, Pregnant women, Risk factor and Knowledge.