The Prevalence of Malaria and Helminth Infection in Pregnancy at Booking and Their Relationship to Anaemia at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Southern Nigeria

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of malaria and helminth infection in pregnancy and their relationship with anaemia at booking at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 192 pregnant women who booked for antenatal care at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between August 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016. Socio-demographic data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected and thick and thin blood films made, stained and examined for malaria parasites under a light microscope using x100 objective lens with oil immersion. Wet mount was prepared from the stool specimen using direct smear method with normal saline and iodine preparation, and the concentration procedure using formol/ether for the identification of ova of helminths. Data obtained was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The results are presented in frequency tables and figures.

Results: The prevalence of malaria, helminth, and their co-infection at booking were 24.5%, 0.5% and 0.5% respectively while the prevalence of anaemia at booking was 16.7%. Malaria and helminth co-infection accounted for 3.1% of the study population with anaemia while 75% of those with anaemia had malaria infection alone. The helminth infection identified in this study was Ascaris lumbricoides. There was a statistically significant relationship between malaria and helminth co-infection, and the area of residence (p= 0.036).

Conclusion: The prevalence of malaria and helminth co-infection was very low and had no statistically significant relationship with anaemia. Malaria infection was mainly associated with anaemia at booking.