Author(s)
geoffrey opwonya
- Manuscript ID: 140336
- Volume: 2
- Issue: 6
- Pages: 474–480
Subject Area: Other
Abstract
Background: Malaria in pregnancy remains a major public health problem in Uganda despite the implementation of preventive interventions such as intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp), insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs), and health education. Pregnant women, particularly those in the second and third trimesters, remain vulnerable to malaria infection and its adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of malaria infection and associated factors among second and third trimester pregnant women attending antenatal care at Ober Health Center IV, Lira City.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 217 pregnant women in the second and third trimesters attending antenatal care at Ober Health Center IV. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and review of medical records. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, while Chi-square tests were used to determine associations between independent variables and malaria infection at a significance level of p≤0.05.
Results: The prevalence of malaria infection among pregnant women was 41.5% (90/217). Significant socio-demographic factors associated with malaria infection included age (p<0.001), educational level (p<0.001), marital status (p<0.001), and occupation (p<0.001). Health system factors significantly associated with malaria infection were distance to the health facility (p=0.036) and means of transport (p<0.001). Gestational age was the only significant obstetric factor (p<0.001). Community and behavioral factors significantly associated with malaria infection included living near swamps (p<0.001), presence of bushes around homes (p<0.001), pools of stagnant water around homes (p<0.001), use of mosquito repellents (p<0.001), and use of herbal mosquito repellents (p=0.002).
Conclusion: Malaria prevalence among second and third trimester pregnant women attending antenatal care at Ober Health Center IV was high. Socio-demographic, environmental, health-system, and behavioral factors significantly influenced malaria infection. Strengthened community-based malaria prevention interventions and environmental control measures are recommended.