Abstract

Sekangue Obili Geril*, Potokoue Mpia Nuelly Samantha Bialay, Emani Charlaine, Buambo Gauthier Regis Jostin, Itoua Clautaire, Iloki Herve Leon

Introduction: Malaria is a febrile erythrocytopathy representing a major public health problem. It affects pregnant women and is responsible for disorders of varying severity, ranging from haematological changes to loss of pregnancy or even death. The aim of this study was to investigate the parasitological aspects of malaria in pregnant women at Brazzaville University Hospital Centre.

Patients and method: This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted from May 1st to September 30, 2020, in the obstetrics and gynaecology department of the Brazzaville University Hospital Centre. Pregnant women hospitalized for malaria constituted the study population. The files retained were those of pregnant women with a thick drop result for haematozoa. The variables studied were socio-demographic, reproductive and parasitological. The threshold was significant when p<0.05.

Results: The median age of malaria-infected pregnant women was 26, ranging from 15 to 35 years. The age group most affected by malaria was (20-25 years) (26.0%, p=0.013). Pregnant women were mostly nulliparous, in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, uneducated, not engaged in any gainful activity, single, with a low socio-economic level. Malaria incidence was highest in 2019 (39.5%; p=0.002). Plasmodium falciparum was the only species implicated in gestational malaria. Malaria frequency was higher during the rainy than the dry seasons (60.4% vs. 44.6%; p<0.001). Mean parasite density was higher during the long dry season, at 15597.0 parasites/µl blood (p=0.217). Parasite density classes were significantly higher in the 2nd and 3rd quarters (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Malaria in pregnant women remains a worrying reality in the obstetrics and gynecology department. The rainy seasons were those in which pregnant women suffered most from malaria.