Malaria Burden in Pregnancy at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract EN

Pregnancy-associated malaria is a major global health concern.

To assess the Plasmodium falciparum burden in pregnancy we conducted a cross-sectional study at Mulago 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 low birthweight (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%).

Erratum to Malaria Burden in Pregnancy at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Ugandadx.doi.org/10.4061/2011/492190