Abstract

Ohalete C. N.*, Dozie I. N. S., Nwachukwu M. I.and Obiukwu, C. E.

Human infected with malaria parasites (Plasmoodium sp.) and its socio-economic consequences were investigated in parts of Imo State Nigeria between August 2007 and September 2008 using standard parasitological and socioeconomic methods. Blood samples were collected by vein puncture from 2,871 consenting pregnant women registered for ante natal care at Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu and Okigwe General Hospital Okigwe as well as Imo State University Teaching Hospital Community Health Outreach Centre, Ogbaku, Mbaitoli L. G. A. The samples were analysed parasitologically for detection of malaria parasite using three different methods namely Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) technique, Slide smear technique and Plasmodium falciparium antigen. Similarly, questionnaires were administered to the same patients to elicit vital information on socio-economic consequences of malaria. The results showed that out of 2,871 persons examined, 2,323 (80.9%), 2,301 (80.1%) and 1,801 (62.7%) had malaria parasite determined by the QBC stained smear and P. falciparium antigen techniques respectively. The total loss due to malaria in pregnancy within a six month period was estimated at 5.8 million naira. The study has confirmed that the burden of malaria in pregnant women in Imo State Nigeria is high.