olecular characterisation of plasmodial species in pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the Nanoro district, Burkina Faso

Malaria during pregnancy and plasmodial species

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria is a public health problem regarding many of the consequences during pregnancy. Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous and widespread species in endemic areas, but coexists with other species that play a role in transmission. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium sp infection in the health district of Nanoro, Burkina Faso.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which pregnant women attending routine antenatal clinics were recruited after signing an informed consent form. A questionnaire was administered and blood samples on Whatmann3M paper were collected for molecular analysis of plasmodial species. The data were presented as proportions and logistic regression was performed to test the interaction between participant and PCR positivity rate.

Results: A total of 418 pregnant women were included. The mean age was 26 years with a standard deviation of 6.6 years. More than three-quarters of the women were aged between [18,34]. The overall prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections was 47.37% and 0.48% respectively in the study population.

Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria with the first notification of Plasmodium vivax in Burkina Faso. These results call for large-scale epidemiological studies to inform and guide health policies.