Malaria in pregnancy in rural Mozambique: the role of parity, submicroscopic and multiple Plasmodium falciparum infections

摘要: BACKGROUND Falciparum malaria affects pregnant women, especially primigravidae, but before control programmes targeted to them can be designed, a description of the frequency and parity pattern infection is needed. There little information on effect submicroscopic infection, as well multiplicity Plasmodium falciparum genotypes in pregnancy. This study aimed describe prevalence parasitaemia anaemia their relation age during two transmission seasons rural area southern Mozambique. It also tried assess multiple infections. METHODS A total 686 women were enrolled three cross-sectional community-based surveys different In each survey questionnaire was administered previous history, gestational assessed, axillary temperature recorded both haematocrit determined. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis determine P. infections subsample women. FINDINGS 156 (23%) had microscopic parasitaemia, which 144 (92%) asexual forms falciparum. The clinical 18 534 (3%), that anaemia, 382 649 (59%). multivariate not associated with an increased risk parasitaemia. Anaemia Both more frequent rainy season. Although statistically significant, tended among grand-multiparous Subpatent anaemia. Multiplicity either parity, or Likewise, there no correlation between density infection. INTERPRETATION did observe clear our study. possible although unlikely selection bias may have influenced these findings; direction unclear. importance locally based research implementation public health measures needs highlighted. According findings, cost-effective approach this would targeting all regardless parity. feasible logistically it rely accurate ascertainment something always easy busy antenatal clinics.