Abstract

Rotimi E. Bolaji, Duke Clem, Goergeand O. E and Adesuwa P. S*

Maternal mortality is twice in pregnant women with malaria. This study was intended at assessing the occurrence of malaria among pregnant women living in Lagos Nigeria, which is distinguished by unstable transmission of malaria. 50 pregnant women attending the antenatal Maternity clinic were enlisted for this study. This study was carried out for 5 months (period of high malaria transmission). The result showed that malaria infection was rampant during pregnancy. A total of 26 (52%) of the pregnant women were positive to and showed symptoms of malaria while 24 (48%) were negative and showed no symptoms of malaria. Primigravidae were more susceptible to the parasite especially Plasmodium falciparum with mean parasite density of 2112.50 ± 420.90 (parasite/ l) than the multigravidas with parasite density 446.70 ± 296.90 (parasite/ l). The results showed the prevalence of malaria infection especially P. falciparum infection in pregnant women living in the area and that the younger women were more at risk. although transmission is unstable but high as a result of topography, attitude, rainfall, poor drainage system and high human-vector contact to mention a few. Malaria should therefore be recognized as a global main concern in health care.