TITLE:
Prevalence of Gestational Malaria in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
AUTHORS:
Noël Labama Otuli, Jean-Didier Bosenge Nguma, Maindo A. Mike-Antoine, Antoine Modia O’yandjo, Gedeon Katenga Bosunga, Joris Losimba Likwela, Jean-Pascal Manga Okenge
KEYWORDS:
Gestational Malaria, Thick Drop, Placental Imprint, Parasitaemia, Kisangani
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.8 No.10,
August
24,
2018
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Gestational malaria is a major public health problem because it is a
threat to pregnant women and their children. As Kisangani is a stable malaria
transmission area and there is a paucity of data on the status of gestational
malaria in our settings, we have found it appropriate to determine the
prevalence of gestational malaria and its determinants in Kisangani City. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study in Kisangani from January 1
to September 30, 2017. Our population study consisted of 1248 parturients
recruited at delivery. We made the thick drop in peripheral blood from
parturients at the admission and at the level of placental impressions after
delivery. Results: The average age of the respondents was 25.3971 ±
6.2452 years; the overall prevalence of gestational malaria was 27.56% including
12.66% peripheral parasitaemia, 12.34% placental parasitaemia and 2.56% parasitaemia
level and placental and peripheral blood impressions. Youngest age ≤ 18 years
[OR (95% CI) = 2.44 (1.75 - 3.41), p 0.001],
primiparity [OR (95% CI) = 2.94 (2.00 - 4.32), p 0.001]
and positive HIV serology [OR (95% CI) = 3.01 (1.23 - 7.43), p = 0.008]
increased the risk of gestational malaria; the use of mosquito net impregnated
with insecticide [OR (95% CI) = 0.29 (0.14 - 0.61), p 0.001]
reduced this risk. Conclusion: The prevalence of gestational malaria is
27.56% in Kisangani. The youngest age ≤ 18 years, the primiparity and positive
HIV serology of pregnant women were the most associated risk factors.