FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE PREVALENCE OF MALARIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN BURUNDI. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF PRINCE LOUIS GWAGASORE CLINIC AND KAMENGE MILITARY HOSPITAL.

Abstract

Background:

Malaria infection during pregnancy is a major public health concern in tropical and subtropical countries with significant risk for the pregnant woman and her fetus. It has been reported that in sub-Saharan Africa malaria can cause as many as 10,000 cases of malaria-related deaths in pregnancy per year, usually due to severe maternal anemia. Besides, each year, malaria in pregnancy is responsible for 20% of stillbirths and 11% of all newborn deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the study was to investigate the factors contributing to the prevalence of malaria among pregnant women in Burundi country.

Methodology: 

The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive survey design to collect information from three hundred and twenty-six pregnant women from the two hospitals enrolled in the study sample using the systematic sampling technique following obtaining consent to participate and data were collected using a validated questionnaire and analyzed using the computer-assisted software statistical; package for social sciences (SPSS)version 20 to generate frequency distribution of responses.

Results:

Climate change, stagnant water around the house, visits of community health workers, sources of information, health care staff, mosquito net provided, education (nonformal, primary), and employment status (agriculture, civil servant) were the factors contributing the prevalence of malaria among pregnant women in Burundi.

Conclusion:

 A significant relationship existed between factors contributing to the prevalence of malaria and pregnant women in Burundi, Bujumbura District. This implied that on all these objectives, more efforts are needed to improve the welfare of pregnancy and decrease the prevalence to ensure the protection of the mother and the healthy child.

Recommendation:

The Ministry of public health could strengthen the IEC to improve the health of pregnant women by using correctly mosquito nets from the first antenatal consultation.