Abstract:
Malaria during pregnancy could result in prematurity, foetal anaemia,
intrauterine growth, retardation, low birth weight, stillbirth, congenital malaria,
increased perinatal mortality. Taking malaria prophylaxis and parity are factors
that affect malaria status during pregnancy. The study sought to determine the
prevalence of malaria during pregnancy, and effectiveness of Sulphadoxine-
Pyrimethamine in treating malaria during pregnancy, and to find factors that
influence malaria status during pregnancy. A descriptive cross-sectional study
was carried out in Assin Fosu in the Assin North District at the St. Francis
Xavier Hospital. Data was obtained from Ante-natal care and laboratory record
books, and questionnaires. The data was analysed with STATA version 16 to
find frequencies, percentages, and association for categorical variables. A total
202 pregnant women at various stages of gestation participated in the study.
Analysis of the data showed that a little percentage (4.95%) of pregnant women
presented with malaria during pregnancy. There was association between
malaria status and Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine use (0.000), parity (0.007) and
sickle cell trait (0.022). Exactly, 97.52% of participants were on Sulphadoxine-
Pyrimethamine. Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine showed an adjusted odds ratio
(AOR = 0.00, 95% CI = 0.00 – 0.11), p-value = 0.00). Prevalence of malaria
during pregnancy in women visiting St. Francis Xavier Hospital is low. Taking
Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine reduces the chances of being infected with
malaria during pregnancy.
