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

Parasitaemia was considered low for parasite value < 500 / μ l blood, moderate for values between 501 - 5000 parasites / μ l blood and high for parasite value > 5000 / μ l blood [17]. e) Statistical analysis The data was entered into a work sheet using Microsoft® Excel 2010 and then analyzed using Epi Info™ 7 (CDC, Atlanta). The association between bed net use as a preventive measure and socio- demographic factors was analyzed using the Chi-2 test. Frequencies were calculated and presented in tables and charts. The results were significant for a probability value P < 0.05. f) Administrative and ethical considerations Authorization was obtained at the University of Yaounde 1, signed by the Director of the school, the Head of Department of Biological Sciences and the Research Supervisor. Authorization and clearances were also obtained from the Ministry of Public Health Cameroon through the Directorate of the District Hospital of Biyem-Assi and through the Rector of the University of Yaounde I. An informed consent form was read and signed by the pregnant women. The information collected was treated confidentially. Only the members of the research team and the health personnel in charge of the follow-up of these women had access to it. Women carrying parasites were taken care of by the health care team at the health facility, in accordance with the recommendations of the dedicated control programs. III. R esults and D iscussion a) Results i. Characteristics of the study population A total of 302 pregnant women were enrolled in this study. The participants included in this study were predominantly Christian (295). They ranged in age from 17 to 53 with an average age of 25 ± 6 years. The majority of participants were students (89, 30.27%), single (169, 56.52%), and had a university education (147, 48.84%) (Table 1). Tableau 1: Demographic characteristics of the study population Characteristic Categories Effective Frequency Religion Christians 295 98,32 % Muslims 5 1,68 % Age (years) ˂ 25 101 34,24 % 25-34 161 54,57 % ≥35 33 11,19 % Marital status Married 130 43,48 % Single 169 56,52 % Profession Pupil/Student 89 30,27 % housewives 55 18,71 % Workers in the formal sector 74 25,85 % Workers in the informal sector 76 25,17 % Educational level ≤Primary 20 6,64 % Secondary 134 44,52 % University 147 48,84 % ii. Participants’ Knowledge on malaria transmission, signs and symptoms, consequences in mother and society The participants in this study generally had a good knowledge of malaria. Indeed, the majority had knowledge about transmission (94.79%), signs and symptoms (92.31%), consequences in children under 5 years of age (83.84%), knowledge on consequences of malaria in pregnant women (90.35%), dangers of malaria to society (88.10%), and preventive measures against malaria (97.93%) (Table 2). 13 Year 2021 Global Journal of Medical Research Volume XXI Issue III Version I ( D ) E © 2021 Global Journals Gestational Malaria and Factors Influencing Mosquito Bed Net use among Pregnant Women in Biyem-Assi, Yaounde