Global Journal of Medical Research, E: Gynecology and Obstetrics, Volume 21 Issue 3

Gestational Malaria and Factors Influencing Mosquito Bed Net use among Pregnant Women in Biyem-Assi, Yaounde Judith Lum Ndamukong-Nyanga α , Tchanga Chanceline Flore σ , Ngo Batandi Helen Virginie ρ & Fegue Celestine Ѡ Abstract- Malaria is an endemic parasitic disease in Cameroon and it is transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles . Malaria prevention methods are diverse. Their availability sometimes does not guarantee effective usage and the use of each method in isolation may not provide the necessary results for the fight against malaria. Pregnant women are relatively more vulnerable and so it is recommended that they should be protected against malaria. Proper protection will require the use of mosquito bed nets as major malaria prevention method. This study was designed to find out malaria prevalence and factors influencing the use of mosquito bet nets among pregnant women of Biyem-Assi Health District. Information on the knowledge of malaria and use of malaria prevention methods, especially bed nets was collected from 302 pregnant women attending prenatal clinics in health institutions within the Biyem-Assi Health District of Yaounde VI subdivision using a pretested questionnaire. Thick smear was prepared for screening Plasmodium parasites. Analysis was done using EPI INFO version 16 (Chicago IL USA) and test of Chi 2 . The study revealed that malaria prevalence was 48.5%. The shape of mosquito net had a significant (P = 0.05) effect on its use and a reduction on prevalence of malaria. The use of mosquito bed net was 47.7% while some of the women (52.3%) did not use it. Profession significantly influenced (P ˂ 0.04) the use of mosquito bed nets. Some of the women did not use mosquito bed nets for different reasons such as heat, forgetfulness, neglect, dislike, etc. The shape and color influenced the use, but this was not significant. Use of mosquito bed nets as major malaria prevention methods is not considered as priority by pregnant women. Sensitization campaigns by government and NGOs should reduce malaria prevalence during pregnancy and give a priority position to mosquito bed nets. Keywords: malaria, pregnant women, mosquito bed net, Biyem-Assi Health District. Corresponding Author α : Department of Biological Science, Higher Teacher training College, University of Yaounde. e-mail: ndamju@yahoo.com Author σ ρ Ѡ : Department of Biological Science, Higher Teacher training College, University of Yaounde. e-mails: tchancelineflore@gmail.com, ngohelen@yahoo.fr , celestinefegue@gmail.com I. I ntroduction alaria is a fatal disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes [1]. Its major impact is almost entirely on developing countries, especially in Africa [2]. More than 85% of malaria cases and 90% of malaria deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa and mostly during the rainy season [3]. In Africa, there are several risk factors for this disease. These factors are related to the existence of the vector that promotes the transmission of the parasite, in addition to the hot climate and low socio-economic conditions that have an impact on the control of the disease [4]. Vulnerable individuals include children under 5 years of age; unimmunized pregnant women, in whom malaria often leads to miscarriages, maternal deaths, low birth weight, abortions, stillbirths, and maternal anemia due to blood loss [5, 6,7]; immunocompromised individuals; and international travelers from malaria-free areas. Pregnant women are more vulnerable because their immunity has been diminished by pregnancy [8]. In Cameroon, malaria remains the major endemic disease and one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the most vulnerable groups [9]. According to the Cameroonian Ministry of Public Health, the disease accounts for 40 to 50 percent of the reasons for medical consultations, is responsible for 41 percent of deaths among children under five years of age, 18 percent of deaths in hospital facilities, and consumes about 40 percent of the annual household health budget [10]. The high morbidity and mortality rates can be explained by the insalubrity of the environment, anarchic constructions, ignorance by the population of prevention methods, low participation in control activities, lack of individual protection against mosquitoes, and the increasing resistance of plasmodium to usual antimalarial drugs [11]. With a view to reducing the spread of this disease, the efforts undertaken at the international level are relayed at the national level by a strong commitment of the State. Thus, through the Growth and Employment Strategy Paper (DSCE), the Cameroonian government has clearly stated the objective of reducing the death rate M 11 Year 2021 Global Journal of Medical Research Volume XXI Issue III Version I ( D ) E © 2021 Global Journals