Factors Influencing the Prevalence of Malaria Among Pregnant Women in Yei Payam River County South Sudan.

Abstract

Malaria remains a major endemic disease within the tropical regions of Africa such as Yei Payam county of South Sudan with high morbidity and mortality rates. Higher morbidity and mortality rates have been reported among children under the age of five years and the effects of malaria among pregnant women have been known to be devastating ultimately resulting into pregnancy related complications such as miscarriages, still births, anemia and maternal mortality. Pregnant women are very vulnerable to the effects of malaria because of the reduced immunity and general weakness of the body due to the growing fetus in the woman’s womb. Hence, the occurrence of malaria in the due course of the pregnancy; if urgent interventions are not taken, can lead to fatal consequences for both feotus and mother (Kayentao, 2013).

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 384 pregnant women from Yei Payam county of South Sudan. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the factors contributing the prevalence of malaria among pregnant women. Using systematic sampling the women were selected from among their households and involved in the study. The prevalence of malaria among the pregnant women was found to be high at 42% among the study population. Socioeconomic factors such as age of the woman, level of education, religion and average monthly income were found to be significantly associated (p<0.05) with the prevalence of malaria among pregnant women.

Environmental factors such as destroying the breeding places for mosquitoes, use of ITNs, use of mosquito repellents and clearing bushes were associated with the prevention of malaria. Therefore, all stakeholders such as the government, Ministry of Health, Development partners and Non-Government Organizations should focus on public sensitization on the primary prevention of malaria rather than treatment