MALARIA PARASITAEMIA AMONGST PARTURIENTS AT FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER NGURU, YOBE STATE NIGERIA

MALARIA PARASITAEMIA AMONGST PARTURIENTS AT FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER NGURU, YOBE STATE NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Information
Malaria affects 3.3 billion people or half of the world’s population in 106 countries and territories. WHO estimates that 216 million cases of malaria occurred in 2010, of which 81%occurred in the African region. WHO estimates that there were 655,000 malaria deaths in 2010, 91% of which occurred in the African region, and 86% were in children under 5 years of age. Malaria is the third leading cause of death for children under five years worldwide, after pneumonia and diarrheal disease.Thirty countries in sub-Saharan Africa account for 90% of global malaria deaths. Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, and Uganda account for nearly 50% of the global malaria deaths. Malaria is the second leading cause of death from infectious diseases in Africa, after HIV/AIDS. Almost 1 out of 5 deaths of children under 5 in Africa is due to malaria. Malaria causes anemia which may necessitate blood transfusions, a procedure that increases the risk for HIV infection where universal blood screening is yet to be achieved. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are at an increased risk of clinical malaria, severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Malaria contributes to a temporary increase in viral load among HIV-infected people which may worsen the clinical disease, increase mother-to child transmission, and augment transmission in adults .Malaria is a major public health problem in Nigeria where it accounts for more cases and deaths  than any other country in the world. Ninety seven percent of Nigerian population is at risk of malaria. The remaining 3% of the population live in the malaria free highlands. There are an estimated 100 million malaria cases with over 300,000 deaths per year in Nigeria. This compares with 215,000 deaths per year in Nigeria from HIV/AIDS. Malaria contributes to an estimated 11% of maternal mortality.1Malaria accounts for 60% of outpatient visits and 30% of hospitalizations among children under five years of age in Nigeria. Malaria has the greatest prevalence, close to 50%, in children aged 6-59 months in the South West, North Central, and North West regions. Malaria has the least prevalence of 27.6 percent in children aged 6 to 59 months in the South East region.Malaria infection during pregnancy is a major health problem with substantial risks for the mother, her fetus and the neonate. In Nigeria, malaria contributes to an estimated 11% of maternal mortality. An estimated 65% of Nigeria’s population lives in poverty and poverty is a major factor in malaria prevention and treatment as it affects the accessibility to and affordability of the limited interventions. The National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) conducted in 2003, 2008, and 2013gave the maternal mortality ratios as (800/100,000 live births, 545/100,000 live birth, 576/ 100,000 live birth) respectively, thus indicating disparities in the effort of the government towards achieving the MDG of reducing maternal mortality in the country.One of the effective strategies that reduce maternal mortality is the prevention of malaria in pregnancy. The WHO formulated a strategic framework for the prevention and control of malaria during pregnancy by recommending a three pronged approach using Intermittent Preventive Treatment during pregnancy (IPTp), vector control including using of ITNs, and case management of malaria illness and anemia.

MALARIA PARASITAEMIA AMONGST PARTURIENTS AT FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER NGURU, YOBE STATE NIGERIA