A cross-sectional study of risk factors associated with malaria diseases in pregnant women attending a state hospital Iwo Osun State, Southwest Nigeria

Background: Malaria disease has been a public health issue in pregnancy, posing a risk to the mother, foetus, and newborn. Risk factors for malaria disease play a significant role in evaluating any program to prevent malaria in pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to determine the possible risk factors for malaria disease in pregnant women at the State Hospital Iwo Osun State, Southwest Nigeria. Results: It was a cross-sectional, facility-based study. Two hundred and eighty-four (284) pregnant women showing up at the antenatal care for the first time during their present pregnancy from April to August 2018 were enlisted in this study. Blood samples were tested for malaria parasite using microscopy. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to compare factors associated with malaria in pregnant women. The number of malaria cases was 53 (18.7%). Those that did not sleep under insecticides-treated nets were 202 (71.4%). About, 130 (46.3%) believe that bad water transmits malaria infection. There was no correlation between insecticides treated nets (ITNs) and education level (p = 0.727), with more malaria positive results in those who did not sleep with ITNs, 40 (75.5%). No association between knowledge on the cause of malaria diseases and the education level (p = 0.450). The participants in the different levels of education reported that malaria was transmitted by mosquitoes, sun and drinking bad water. Drinking bad water was reported most by 76(58.5%) and 37(28.5%) of those in secondary and tertiary education, respectively to transmit malaria. Age <= 25 years (OR =2.054, C.I. = 1.118 - 3.772, p = 0.019) and education below tertiary level (OR =2.704, C.I. = 1.214 - 6.024, p = 0.012) were reported to be significantly associated with risk factor to malaria infection in pregnant women. Conclusion: This study revealed that malaria is still a public health issue and risk factors such as; maternal age of 25 years or less and educational class less than tertiary education may be contributing to increase in prevalence of malaria among pregnant women in this study.