scholarly journals Effect of Impregnated Mosquito Bed Nets on the Prevalence of Malaria among Pregnant Women in Foumban Subdivision, West Region of Cameroon

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Ngouyamsa N. A. Sidiki ◽  
Vincent Khan Payne ◽  
Yamssi Cedric ◽  
Noumedem A. C. Nadia

Background. Malaria is one of the major public health problems in many tropical developing countries including Cameroon. Impregnated mosquito bed nets are one of the control measures put in place by the WHO and adopted by the Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health to fight against malaria in pregnancy. This study was a population-based cross-sectional study that investigated the level of adherence, respondent’s knowledge, altitude, and practices toward malaria prevention and control. Methods. To investigate this, a sample size of 410 pregnant women who were inhabitants of Foumban Subdivision was examined. Data on net ownership versus usage, pregnancy status, and socioeconomic background were collected using a questionnaire. Parasitological tests for malaria parasites were carried out using peripheral blood samples obtained from finger pricks of the pregnant women for the preparation of thick blood smear and RDTs. Results. Two hundred and eighteen tested positive (53.4%) with the highest prevalence occurring during the first trimester (79.6%) and in primigravidae (68.8%). Participants believed that mosquito bed nets can protect them against malaria infection. The highest number (81.0%) of the women who had mosquito nets acquired them during antenatal visits. Among those who possessed nets, 42.7% adhered to sleeping under them and few (50%) experienced problems of sweating, discomfort, and heat. Also, the study revealed a high prevalence rate of 63.8% for those who did not use nets during pregnancy as compared to those who owned and used them. Conclusion. The findings indicated that increased access to impregnated mosquito bed nets is required to lower the risk of malaria infection amongst pregnant women. The Cameroon government should improve health education to families within the locality and pursue an integrated approach to fight against mosquitoes during the rainy season.

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (02) ◽  
pp. 83-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishag Adam ◽  
Elhassan M Elhassan ◽  
Abd Elrahium D Haggaz ◽  
Abdel Aziem A Ali ◽  
Gamal K Adam

Introduction: Both malaria and anaemia have adverse effects on maternal and perinatal outcomes. Thus there is an urgent need to investigate the co-epidemiology of malaria and anaemia and their combined impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes in the different regions of Sudan Methodology: Various cross-sectional and case control studies conducted during the years 2003-2010 to investigate the epidemiology of malaria and anaemia and their impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes in different regions of Sudan were compared. Results: While 13.7% of antenatal attendants in New Halfa had peripheral microscopically detected Plasmodium falciparum malaria, placental malaria (using histological examinations) was prevalent in 32.0-40% and 19.5% of parturient women in New Halfa and Gadarif Hospitals, respectively. Malaria was a risk factor for anaemia in New Halfa and for stillbirths in Omdurman Maternity Hospital. Anaemia was present in 52.5%, 62.6% and 80.2% of pregnant women in Medani, New Halfa, and Gadarif Hospitals, respectively. In Gadarif, 57.3% of pregnant women had a folate deficiency, while 1% had a vitamin B12, deficiency. In Medani, zinc and copper deficiencies were detected in 45.0% and 4% of pregnant women, respectively. Anaemia was a risk factor for low birth weight in Al-Fashir, for fetal anaemia in New Halfa, and for stillbirth in Kassala Hospital. Conclusion: More care should be taken to ensure proper nutrition and malaria prevention such as bed nets and intermittent preventive treatments to avoid these diseases and their effects on maternal and perinatal outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Myat Htut Nyunt ◽  
Khin Myo Aye ◽  
Shine Thura Naing ◽  
Aye Su Mon ◽  
Mi Mi Htwe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Residual malaria is probably an important source for the re-emergence of malaria infection in the elimination era. Assessment to identify the factors influencing residual malaria in high-risk groups is needed to develop evidence-based decisions by stakeholders and policymakers. Methods This study was conducted to explore the factors influencing the residual malaria infection among migrant workers in two sentinel sites (endemic vs. pre-elimination areas) in Myanmar using the mixed-model method. Results A total of 102 migrant respondents (65 in Bamauk and 37 in Shwegyin) were included for the quantitative assessment using pretested questionnaires during household visits. Although 87.3% of them had insecticidal bed nets (ITNs/LLINs), only 68.3% of the migrants in Bamauk and 57.9% in Shwegyin used it regularly. The use of any bed net was high (79.9% in Bamauk vs. 91.0% in Shwegyin). The mean LLINs in their families were 1.64 (95%CI: 1.48–1.81) in Bamauk and 2.89 (95%CI: 2.67–3.11) in Shwegyin. Most of them received no health information for malaria prevention within the last year and their knowledge about malaria was low. Their working nature was a challenge for control measures against malaria in migrants. Conclusion The strategy for distributing LLINs and health promotion activities for mobile/migrant populations should be reviewed, and an appropriate action plan should be developed for the specific migrant group. Moreover, health promotion activities for behavior change communication should be strengthened in the migrant population in Myanmar.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roméo Karl IMBOUMY-LIMOUKOU ◽  
Sydney MAGHENDJI-NZONDO ◽  
Pater Noster SIR-ONDO-ENGUIER ◽  
Julie Niemczura ◽  
Nathalie Pernelle TSAFACK TEGOMO ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: There is little information on the social perception of malaria and the use of preventative measures in Gabon, especially in rural areas. Adequate knowledge of malaria prevention and control can help in reducing the burden of malaria among vulnerable groups, particularly pregnant women and children aged under 5 years old living in malaria endemic settings. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of malaria and the knowledge and attitude towards this disease in households in the Nyanga Province. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess malaria knowledge, prevention practices and prevalence of the infection in five departments of the Nyanga Province. Malaria infection was confirmed using rapid diagnostic tests. A questionnaire was administered randomly to 535 households during a two weeks period in March 2018. Overall, the respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge on malaria, malaria prevention practices and malaria prevalence were evaluated and compared across the five departments. Results: Data was collected on 1,307 participants were included in this study, 631 women of childbearing age (including 61 pregnant women) and 676 children. Practically the entire (97.7%) interviewed population had already heard about malaria and attributed the cause of malaria to a mosquito bite (95.7%). This survey revealed that the bed net coverage rate was 73.3%. The study observed an average malaria parasite prevalence of 13.9%. All departments of Nyanga province had significant level of malaria infection except for the Mayumba department where no plasmodial infection was found. The overall prevalence of the plasmodial infection was significantly higher in children and pregnant women compared to adults in the cities of Tchibanga and Moabi. Conclusion: Malaria is highly prevalent in the province of Nyanga. Our findings show that children under five and pregnant women are more vulnerable to malaria in this area of the country. This study reveals that respondents have a high knowledge of mode of transmission, malaria symptoms and preventive measures. Despite this high level of knowledge of the disease and its preventive measures, the incidence of malaria remains relatively high in this rural community highlighting the need for continuous strategic interventions particularly health awareness and educational programs


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roméo Karl IMBOUMY-LIMOUKOU ◽  
Sydney MAGHENDJI-NZONDO ◽  
Pater Noster SIR-ONDO-ENGUIER ◽  
Nathalie Pernelle TSAFACK TEGOMO ◽  
Alain Prince OKOUGA ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: There is little information on the social perception of malaria and the use of preventative measures in Gabon, especially in rural areas. Adequate knowledge of malaria prevention and control can help in reducing the burden of malaria among vulnerable groups, particularly pregnant women and children aged under 5 years old living in malaria endemic settings. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of malaria and the knowledge and attitude towards this disease in households in the Nyanga Province. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess malaria knowledge, prevention practices and prevalence of the infection in five departments of the Nyanga Province. Malaria infection was confirmed using rapid diagnostic tests. A questionnaire was administered randomly to 535 households during a two weeks period in March 2018. Overall, the respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge on malaria, malaria prevention practices and malaria prevalence were evaluated and compared across the five departments. Results: Data was collected on 1,307 participants were included in this study, 631 women of childbearing age (including 61 pregnant women) and 676 children. Practically the entire (97.7%) interviewed population had already heard about malaria and attributed the cause of malaria to a mosquito bite (95.7%). This survey revealed that the bed net coverage rate was 73.3%. The study observed an average malaria parasite prevalence of 13.9%. All departments of Nyanga province had significant level of malaria infection except for the Mayumba department where no plasmodial infection was found. The overall prevalence of the plasmodial infection was significantly higher in children and pregnant women compared to adults in the cities of Tchibanga and Moabi. Conclusion: Malaria is highly prevalent in the province of Nyanga. Our findings show that children under five and pregnant women are more vulnerable to malaria in this area of the country. This study reveals that respondents have a high knowledge of mode of transmission, malaria symptoms and preventive measures. Despite this high level of knowledge of the disease and its preventive measures, the incidence of malaria remains relatively high in this rural community highlighting the need for continuous strategic interventions particularly health awareness and educational programs


Author(s):  
Yousif Elmosaad ◽  
Ahmed Al Rajeh ◽  
Asif khan ◽  
Elfatih Malik ◽  
Ilias Mahmud

This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in malaria prevention using insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) among mothers of children under five years of age in White Nile State, Sudan. Multistage cluster sampling was used to select 761 mothers for this cross-sectional survey. There were gaps in the KAP in malaria prevention. Only 46.3% of the mothers stated personal protective measures (PPMs) as the best malaria prevention strategy; 54.9% considered ITNs as an effective means; and only 18.7% reported sleeping under an ITN every day. Older mothers were less likely to have good knowledge (OR=0.96), attitudes (OR=0.98) and practices (OR=0.98). Having a Government employee as the head of the household was positively associated with knowledge (OR=2.16) and attitudes (OR=1.96). The mother having a formal education was also positively associated with good knowledge (OR=1.55) and positive attitudes (OR=1.69). Mothers with a monthly household income of <491 Sudanese Pound were more likely to have good knowledge (OR=1.43). Mothers who had good knowledge (OR=4.99) and positive attitudes towards PPMs (OR=2.60) in malaria prevention were found to be more likely to practice preventive measures. Therefore, we recommend focusing on raising mothers’ awareness of the different preventive activities to protect them and their family from malaria.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 601
Author(s):  
Houyu Zhao ◽  
Mei Zhang ◽  
Jiaming Bian ◽  
Siyan Zhan

Background: Antibiotic use in pregnant women at the national level has rarely been reported in China. Objectives: We aimed to investigate antibiotic prescriptions during pregnancy in ambulatory care settings in China. Methods: Data of 4,574,961 ambulatory care visits of pregnant women from October 2014 to April 2018 were analyzed. Percentages of Antibiotic prescriptions by different subgroups and various diagnosis categories and proportions of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for different subgroups were estimated. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pregnancy categories were used to describe the antibiotic prescription patterns. The 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the Clopper––Pearson method or Goodman method. Results: Among the 4,574,961 outpatient visits during pregnancy, 2.0% (92,514 visits; 95% CI, 2.0–2.0%) were prescribed at least one antibiotic. The percentage of antibiotic prescriptions for pregnant women aged >40 years was 4.9% (95% CI, 4.7–5.0%), whereas that for pregnant women aged 26–30 years was 1.5% (95% CI, 1.4–1.5%). In addition, percentages of antibiotic prescriptions varied among different trimesters of pregnancy, which were 5.4% (95% CI, 5.3–5.4%) for the visits in the first trimester of pregnancy and 0.5% (95% CI, 0.4–0.5%) in the third trimester of pregnancy. Furthermore, the percentages of antibiotic prescriptions substantially varied among different diagnosis categories and nearly three-quarters of antibiotic prescriptions had no clear indications and thus might be inappropriate. In total, 130,308 individual antibiotics were prescribed; among these, 60.4% (95% CI, 60.0–60.8%) belonged to FDA category B, 2.7% (95% CI, 2.1–3.5%) were classified as FDA category D and 16.8% (95% CI, 16.2–17.4%) were not assigned any FDA pregnancy category. Conclusions: Antibiotic prescriptions in ambulatory care during pregnancy were not highly prevalent in mainland China. However, a substantial proportion of antibiotics might have been prescribed without adequate indications. Antibiotics whose fetal safety has not been sufficiently illustrated were widely used in pregnant women.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariame Ouedraogo ◽  
Jaameeta Kurji ◽  
Lakew Abebe ◽  
Ronald Labonté ◽  
Sudhakar Morankar ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In Ethiopia, malaria infections and other complications during pregnancy contribute to the high burden of maternal morbidity and mortality. Preventive measures are available, however little is known about the factors influencing the uptake of maternal health services and interventions by pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods We analyzed data from a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted in 2016 in three rural districts of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia, with 3784 women who had a pregnancy outcome in the year preceding the survey. We used multivariable logistic regression models accounting for clustering to identify the determinants of antenatal care (ANC) attendance and insecticide-treated net (ITN) ownership and use, and the prevalence and predictors of malaria infection among pregnant women. Results Eighty-four percent of interviewed women reported receiving at least one ANC visit during their last pregnancy, while 47% reported attending four or more ANC visits. Common reasons for not attending ANC included women’s lack of awareness of its importance (48%), distance to health facility (23%) and unavailability of transportation (14%). Important determinants of ANC attendance included higher education level and wealth status, woman’s ability to make healthcare decisions, and pregnancy intendedness. An estimated 48% of women reported owning an ITN during their last pregnancy. Of these, 55% reported to have always slept under it during their last pregnancy. Analysis revealed that the odds of owning and using ITNs were respectively 2.07 (95% CI: 1.62–2.63) and 1.73 (95% CI: 1.32–2.27) times higher among women who attended at least one ANC visit. The self-reported prevalence of malaria infection during pregnancy was low (1.4%) across the three districts. We found that young, uneducated, and unemployed women presented higher odds of malaria infection during their last pregnancy. Conclusion ANC and ITN uptake during pregnancy in Jimma Zone fall below the respective targets of 95 and 90% set in the Ethiopian Health Sector Transformation Plan for 2020, suggesting that more intensive programmatic efforts still need to be directed towards improving access to these health services. Reaching ANC non-users and ITN ownership and use as part of ANC services could be emphasized to address these gaps.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Yakobo Nyahoga ◽  
Zanda Bochkaeva

University campuses are potential reservoirs of infectious diseases, but they are not in the research focus. It is obvious that the use of malaria preventive tools is extremely necessary in campus conditions in endemic countries. This study is the first malaria survey, conducted in a student campus in Tanzania. This cross-sectional study uncovered a surprisingly high prevalence of malaria history among students: 89,4% of 246 random respondents assume that they had malaria in history, among whom 145 (58,9%) suffered from the disease during the last year. And although students are relatively confident about the vector, parasite, and prevention measures of the disease, only 44,7% of the students use bed nets and 4,5% use a body spray or ointment daily. The others seldom use spray or ointment or do not care about the problem at all. This situation was found to be associated with two factors, financial and educational. Current results show that students are relatively educated on malaria, but they do not follow the malaria prevention guidance. It has become clear that at least proper informational propaganda of bed net use is required in Tanzanian university campuses.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Célestin Ndosimao Nsibu ◽  
Célestin Manianga ◽  
Serge Kapanga ◽  
Esther Mona ◽  
Philippe Pululu ◽  
...  

Background. Antenatal care (ANC) attendance helps pregnant women to benefit from preventive and curative services.Methods. Determinants for ANC attendance were identified through a cross-sectional survey in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sociocultural bottlenecks were assessed via focus groups discussion of married men and women.Results. In this survey, 28 of the 500 interviewed pregnant women (5.6%) did not attend ANC services and 82.4% booked over the first trimester. The first visit is positively influenced by the reproductive age (OR: 0.52, 95% CI(0.28–0.95),p<0.04), the educational level (OR: 0.41,95% CI(0.17–0.97),p<0.04), the nearby health center (OR: 0.43, 95% CI(0.2–0.92),p<0.03), and the presence of a male partner (OR: 10.48, 95% CI(2.1–52.23),p<0.001). The barriers to early booking were (i) the cost of service; (ii) the appearance or individual income; (iii) the geographical inaccessibility or distance to health facilities; (iv) social and religious prohibitions; (v) the stigmatization from other women when conceiving in the late ages or young or while still lactating (parity); (vi) the time for waiting for services.Conclusion. The early ANC attendance is delayed among poor women with little education and living alone.


2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gayani Shashikala Amarasinghe ◽  
Thilini Chanchala Agampodi ◽  
Vasana Mendis ◽  
Krishanthi Malawanage ◽  
Chamila Kappagoda ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Sustainable development goals, which focus strongly on equity, aim to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030. However, a significant cause of intergenerational transfer of malnutrition, anaemia in pregnancy, is still a challenge. It is especially so in the low- and middle-income settings where possible context-specific aetiologies leading to anaemia have been poorly explored. This study explores the prevalence of etiological factors significantly contributing to anaemia in pregnancy in Sri Lanka, a lower-middle-income country with a high prevalence of malnutrition albeit robust public health infrastructure. Methods All first-trimester pregnant women registered in the public maternal care programme in the Anuradhapura district from July to September 2019 were invited to participate in Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort (RaPCo). After a full blood count analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography, peripheral blood film examination, serum B12 and folate levels were performed in anaemic participants, guided by an algorithm based on the red cell indices in the full blood count. In addition, serum ferritin was tested in a random subsample of 213 participants. Anaemic women in this subsample underwent B12 and folate testing. Results Among 3127 participants, 14.4% (95%CI 13.2–15.7, n = 451) were anaemic. Haemoglobin ranged between 7.4 to 19.6 g/dl. 331(10.6%) had mild anaemia. Haemoglobin ≥13 g/dl was observed in 39(12.7%). Microcytic, normochromic-normocytic, hypochromic-normocytic and macrocytic anaemia was observed in 243(54%), 114(25.3%), 80(17.8%) and two (0.4%) of full blood counts in anaemic women, respectively. Microcytic anaemia with a red cell count ≥5 * 106 /μl demonstrated a 100% positive predictive value for minor haemoglobinopathies. Minor hemoglobinopathies were present in at least 23.3%(n = 105) of anaemic pregnant women. Prevalence of iron deficiency, B12 deficiency and Southeast Asian ovalocytosis among the anaemic was 41.9% (95%CI 26.4–59.2), 23.8% (95%CI 10.6–45.1) and 0.9% (95%CI 0.3–2.3%), respectively. Folate deficiency was not observed. Conclusion Even though iron deficiency remains the primary cause, minor hemoglobinopathies, B 12 deficiency and other aetiologies substantially contribute to anaemia in pregnancy in this study population. Public health interventions, including screening for minor hemoglobinopathies and multiple micronutrient supplementation in pregnancy, should be considered in the national programme for areas where these problems have been identified.


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