Epidemiology of Malaria in Pregnancy and Associated Risk Factors in Nigeria: a Review
Chibuzo Christian Uba *
Department of Microbiology, Paul University Awka, Nigeria and Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria.
Moses Nkechukwu Ikegbunam
Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria.
Emmanuel Chigozie Udegbunam
Department of Biochemistry, Paul University Awka, Nigeria.
Chioma Abana
Department of Microbiology and Brewing Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria.
Stephen Nnaemeka Ezekwueche
Department of Microbiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Nigeria.
Ogadinma Daughter Okengwu
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmaceutics, Enugu State University of science and Technology, Nigeria.
Gaber El-Saber Batiha
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22511, AlBeheira, Egypt.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Each year, an estimated number of 300–500 million people are infected with malaria parasite, with an undesirable effect of over one million deaths. Pregnant women as well as young children, non-immune travellers visiting malaria-endemic zones are at the highest risk of suffering or experiencing life - threatening malaria infection. Maternal immunity, parasite density, parity, inadequate antenatal care services, drug misuse and abuse as well intermitted preventive treatment drug failure cum resistance are the most associated risk factors of malaria in pregnancy obtainable in endemic regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Identification and understanding of these factors will play a major role in reducing the burden as well as eliminating malaria disease among pregnant women living in endemic regions.
Keywords: Malaria, illness, parasite, maternal immunity, protozoa