Prevalence of Malaria and Hepatitis B Virus Infections among Pregnant Women Attending Federal Medical Center, Owerri

Abstract

Background: Malaria and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in pregnancy are of great public health importance, jeopardizing the outcome of pregnancy, affecting mother, foetus and new-born babies. Objectives: This cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of malaria and hepatitis B virus infections among pregnant women attending the Federal Medical Center, Owerri. Methods: Three hundred maternal blood samples were collected into anticoagulant bottles. Blood samples collected were used to determine malaria parasitaemia and HBV. Malaria parasitaemia was determined using thick and thin films stained with Giemsa staining techniques while HBV was determined using Labcon Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test strip. Results: Out of a total of 300 blood sample examined, 110(36.66%) were positive for malaria while 17(5.67%) were positive for HBV and 10 (3.33%) had co-infection. The age group 15-24 yrs had the highest prevalence of infections (45.76%) of malaria followed by 35-44 yrs (38.33%) while 45-54ys had least (30.43%). Although there was a difference in prevalence, it was not statistically significant (χ²=4.178, p=0.243, df=3).In Hepatitis B infection, age group 15-24 yrs (16.95%) had the highest prevalence of infection, followed by 25-34 yrs (4.17%) while 45-54 yrs recorded no infection and there was a statistically significant difference in prevalence across the age groups (χ²=18.581, p=0.000, df=3). The prevalence of malaria and HBV co-infection based on age indicated that 15-24 yrs had the highest prevalence 8.47% followed by 35-44 yrs (2.67%) while 25-34 yrs (1.67%) had the least prevalence. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of malaria among pregnant women in the study area and the effects could be fatal to mother, foetus and the new-born. HBV infection, Malaria and HBV co-infection were found to be relatively high. Therefore, there is the need to ensure malaria interventions such as the provision of ITNs and intermittent Preventive treatment in pregnancy for malaria during pregnancy for pregnant women. Also, regular HBV vaccination, especially for the sexually active people, is advocated in the state.