MODELLING THE PREVALENCE OF MALARIA IN WOMEN WITH PREGNANCY IN SELECTED LGAs OF TARABA STATES

Abstract

African region experiences the highest proportion of malaria-related illnesses and deaths, especially those caused by the most lethal malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Year in year out, hundred millions of people are sick with malaria and between 1 and 3 million of deaths per year, the majority of these deaths are children between the age of 1 and 4 years and pregnant women. In pregnancy, malaria increases the risk of maternal anaemia, spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, premature deliveries, intra-uterine growth retardation and low birth weight babies, and these are all important causes of infant mortality. In this study a model using Mathematical modelling of malaria in women with pregnancy will be formulated. A total of 6793 samples of pregnant women with malaria was collected from six local government areas in the survey areas. These LGAs are: Ardo Kola 1180 (17.4%), Bali 1108 (16.3%), Donga 1082 (15.9%), Jalingo (18.2%), Kurmi 1127 (13.6%), Ibi 1059 (18.5%). It was discovered that Anopheles mosquito responsible for malaria parasites in human if put under control can reduce the rate of malaria infection among pregnant women in the study areas. Analysis of variance showed significant differences in mosquito genera in relation to study areas (P < 0.05).