Speaker
Description
Background: The rise of asymptomatic malaria parasitemia in pregnant women poses a significant public health challenge in Ghana, contributing to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
Methodology: This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic malaria among 240 pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at Ejisu Government Hospital and KNUST Hospital, Ashanti Region, from June to August 2025. A cross-sectional design was employed, using consecutive sampling to recruit 120 women per site. Data on socio-demographics (age, education), obstetric history (gravidity, parity, trimester), preventive measures (ITN and IPTp use), and environmental exposures (overgrown vegetation, water bodies, refuse dumps, farm animals) were collected via questionnaires. Blood samples were tested using Meriscreen Malaria Pf/Pan-II Ag rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and Giemsa-stained microscopy. Data were analyzed in Microsoft Excel using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, odds ratios, and relative risks.
Results: The overall prevalence was 2.92% (7/240), with Ejisu at 5.83% and KNUST at 0% (p=0.021, RR=15.0, 95% CI: 1.67–134.8). Secundigravidae (4.59%, OR=3.52, p=0.370), low-parity women (4.76%, OR=3.81, p=0.320), second-trimester women ([Insert %], p=[Insert]), and women under 20 years (9.52%, p=0.289) showed higher prevalence, though not statistically significant (p>0.05). Environmental factors, particularly overgrown vegetation (12.28%, RR=7.25, 95% CI: 1.67–31.45, p=0.008), were strongly associated with infection. RDT and microscopy showed 100% concordance, with 57.1% low-density infections.
Implication: These findings highlight the need for targeted screening and environmental interventions in peri-urban settings to reduce asymptomatic malaria in pregnancy, especially among Secundigravidae, low-parity, and second-trimester women.