Authors : L.O. Omokanye, R. Saidu, A.A.G. Jimoh, A. Salaudeen, S. Isiaka-Lawal, H.O. Raji, M.A. Ijaiya, A.A. Panti and Y.R. Balogun
Abstract: To determine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and parasite density among pregnant women at booking in Ilorin, Nigeria. Women who came for booking at the UITH between 1st May and 31st July 2010 were selected to participate in the study. Data were collected with questionnaire and their blood analyzed for malaria parasite and parasite density. A total of 412 women participated out of which 327 women (79.4%) had parasitaemia. Most of the primigraviae (81.2%) and secundigravidae (77.9%) were positive for malaria parasite. So also 87.5% of the teenagers were positive for malaria. Parasite density was higher among the primigravidae and younger women. The mean parasitaemia was also found to be higher in the second trimester than the first and third trimesters (p = 0.04). The young and the primigravidae are more at risk of malaria in pregnancy. It is therefore important to implement an effective diagnostic and prevention regimen of malaria prophylaxis for all at risk group.
L.O. Omokanye, R. Saidu, A.A.G. Jimoh, A. Salaudeen, S. Isiaka-Lawal, H.O. Raji, M.A. Ijaiya, A.A. Panti and Y.R. Balogun, 2012. The Relationship Between Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Malaria Parasite Density among Pregnant Women in Ilorin, Nigeria. International Journal of Tropical Medicine, 7: 64-68.