Abstract

HIV SCREENING STATUS AND PREVALENCE OF MALARIA PARASITE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN IKWUANO L.G.A. ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

*Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Obarezi Thompson Ndubuisi, Odo Edward Odogbu,Anaebo Queen Braxton N, Achigbo Loveth Uche

¹Diagnostic Laboratory Unit,University Health Services,Michael Okpara University ofAgriculture,Umudike,Abia State,Nigeria

²Medical Doctor,University Health Services,Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,Umudike,Abia State,Nigeria

³International Secondary School,Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,Umudike,AbiaState,Nigeria

⁴Medical Doctor,Department of Accident And Emergency,Lagos State University TeachingHopital,Lagos,Nigeria

⁵International Secondary School,Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,Umudike,AbiaState,Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

A study of the prevalence of malaria and HIV screening status of pregnant women was done among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Amawom and Ndoro Health Centres in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. A total of 150 pregnant women who gave their consent to be part of the study had their blood samples examined for the presence of malaria parasite and HIV infection.Malaria was examined using thick and thin Giemsa stained blood films while HIV screening was done using Determine and Unigold Test Kits.Out of this number (92%) were positive for malaria,while (5.33%) were sero-positive for HIV1 and 2 and (2.76%) were Indeterminate for HIV. Malaria-HIV co-infection stood at (10%). Women within the age group 27-31 years recorded the highest prevalence of malaria (98.4%) while HIV was also highest in the age group of 27-31 years(6.56%). All the blood groups A, B, AB, O, blood group O had the highest prevalence. The HIV cases fell within the blood groups A(4.88%), B(8.82%), O(4.29%) and AB(0%). Genotype AA recorded the highest prevalence of malaria infection (92.78%) and HIV cases. Malaria infection was highest in the pregnant women in the second trimester (93.99%) and secundigravidae (95.45%). The study was done to find out the prevalence of malaria infection and HIV status of pregnant women in Ikwuano L.G.A. of Abia State, Nigeria.

Keywords: Malaria, HIV, Genotype and Pregnant women.