Prevalence and predictors of maternal peripheral malaria parasitemia in central Mozambique

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2007 Aug;77(2):228-34.

Abstract

Malaria infection during pregnancy (MiP) is heterogeneously distributed even in malaria-endemic countries. Program planners require data to facilitate identification of highest-priority populations for MiP control. Using data from two cross-sectional studies of 5,528 pregnant women in 8 neighboring sites in Mozambique, we described factors associated with maternal peripheral parasitemia by using logistic regression. Principal multivariate predictors of maternal peripheral parasitemia were gravidity (odds ratio [OR] = 2.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.60-3.26 for primigravidae and OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.29-2.01 for secundigravidae compared with gravidity > or = 3); age (OR = 0.96 per year, 95% CI = 0.94-0.99); study site (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.34-1.56 to 5.32, 95% CI = 4.92-5.75) for comparison with the reference site; and no maternal education (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.15-1.66) compared with any education. Other predictors (in subgroups) were bed net use (OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.48-0.50); preventive sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine doses (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.24-0.25); and infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.11-2.00). Programmatic priorities should respond to heterogeneous distribution of multiple risk factors, including prevalence of malaria and infection with HIV, and maternal socioeconomic status.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Gravidity
  • Humans
  • Malaria, Falciparum / blood
  • Malaria, Falciparum / epidemiology*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / parasitology
  • Mozambique / epidemiology
  • Parasitemia / epidemiology*
  • Parasitemia / parasitology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / growth & development*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / blood
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / parasitology
  • Prevalence
  • Rural Population
  • Social Class
  • Urban Population