Effects of Malaria on some Haematological Parameters among Pregnant Women in Delta State, Nigeria

Aim: To determine the effect of malaria parasitaemia on some haematological parameters of pregnant women in Delta State, Nigeria.

Study Design: The experiment is a vertical survey of pregnant women.

Place and Duration: The study was carried out in five designated Local Government Area in Delta State, Nigeria. They include Ughelli South, Ughelli North, Udu, Uvwie and Ethiope East Local Government Area, between January-August 2021.

Methodology: Vein puncture technique was used to obtain 5ml of blood from 1000 pregnant women in the five selected government hospital in Delta State. Malaria parasite examination was done using thin and thick blood films, following standard parasitological techniques. Haematological parameters comprising packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocyte and basophils were determined and CD4 count was done using flow cytometry. Socio economic data was obtained with the use of structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using student T-test and Anova.

Results: Out of the 1000 pregnant women examined, 624 (62.4%) tested positive for malaria. Those with secondary education had the highest prevalence where 234 (23.4%) examined and 202 (86.3%) infected. Data revealed that married women and artisans had very high infections of (70.9%) and (78.7%) respectively. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the level of PCV, HB, TWBC, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Eosinophils, Monocytes and CD4 count of those infected when compared to those uninfected. Women with 1+ve Plasmodium count had CD4 count of 712.68 ± 12.23, those with 2+ve Plasmodium count had CD4 count 628.88±9.11, while those with 3 +++ve Plasmodium count had CD4 count of 578.71±2.10.

Conclusion: Plasmodium parasitaemia had influenced the haematological parameters of pregnant women in the study. Pregnant women should be advice on the proper use of preventive strategies which include intermittent preventive treatment IPTp and the proper use of insecticide treated bed net.