Prevalence of malaria among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Mukono Health Centre IV

Abstract

Malaria is a major public health challenge especially in the African region. It does not only affect maternal-child health but also hinders economic development where by a lot of money is wasted in combating its prevalence hence this study will possibly be helpful to policy makers in different faculties of health as far as decision making is concerned. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Malaria among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Mukono Health Centre IV, so as to generate information that will help in malaria prevention and control particularly among pregnant women. Hospital records were reviewed of pregnant women attending antenatal care at Mukono Health Centre IV. Selected health services and socio-demographic factors were assessed. The number of pregnant women attending antenatal care at Mukono health center four, the number of pregnant women diagnosed with malaria and the trimester in which malaria is most common during pregnancy were investigated. Findings revealed that there was high number of pregnant women who attend antenatal care at Mukono health center four with the month of March reporting the highest number of women attending antenatal care with (2518) respondents and the month of February reporting the least number of antenatal attendances with only (1455) respondents. This study revealed a high prevalence of malaria among pregnant woman with the month of January reporting the highest number of pregnant women diagnosed with malaria with (60) respondents and September and October reporting the least number with only 2 cases each. Malaria was most common in the 3rd trimester with (48%) and least common in the 1st trimester with (28%). With the results got, malaria prevalence among pregnant women is still high and hence policy makers should implement preventive measures like use of mosquito-nets, utilization of IPT and continuous health education