Prevalence of malaria among registered pregnant women attending ante natal centre at Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa, South South Nigeria

Venule blood samples were collected from 216 pregnant women in different trimesters and age groups receiving ante natal care at Federal medical centre Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and were put in EDTA bottles for analysis. Standard thick and thin smears were made and rapid antigen tests were also used to examine the blood samples. 155(71.8%) were infected with P.falciparum out of 216 pregnant women while 61(28.2%) were not infected. Highest prevalence was observed in the first trimester 98(85.2%) and the third trimester 42(53.3%) had the lowest prevalence. Women within age groups 11-15 were the most infected (100%). Pregnant women with less than 9.1g/dl haemoglobin had the highest prevalence (91.7%) than others with higher levels, while those with low packed cell volume had higher prevalence of malaria parasite (79.1%) than those with normal PCV(66.9%). The study demonstrated high prevalence of malaria and there is urgent need to introduce appropriate intervention strategies geared towards the eradication of the vectors so as to reduce the incidence of malaria to the barest minimum. Most importantly, pregnant women who are the risk population should be properly educated on precautionary measures to take to avoid malaria like the consistent use of Long lasting insecticide treated nets(LLIN) and prompt registration in hospitals for ante natal care.