Predictors of placental malaria in HIV-positive and HIV- negative pregnant women in Enugu, South-Eastern Nigeria

Background: Placental malaria has long been recognized as a complication of malaria in pregnancy with serious adverse outcome. Recognition of possible predictors is an effort in the right direction. Aim of the study: The study determined and compared the Predictors of placental malaria in HIV-positive and HIV- negative pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Poly General Hospital, South-Eastern Nigeria. Material and method: A cross-sectional descriptive study, carried out on 200 HIV positive and 200 HIV negative pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Poly General Hospital, Enugu, selected using simple random sampling technique between May to December 2023. Placenta blood samples were collected and thick blood films were examined for malaria parasite using Giemsa expert microscopy. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection and the data analysed using SPSS version 23. Results: The prevalence of malaria in HIV positive and negative pregnant women were 83.5% (167/200) and 75.5%(151/200) respectively (P < 0.001). The HIV positive and HIV negative participants were between 16-45 years of age with majority in the age range of 31-35 years. Mean gestational age of HIV positive and HIV negative participants were 24.3±1.1 and 24.4±1.3 weeks respectively. Placental malaria was significantly associated with rural residence, hemoglobin genotype AA, not receiving intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp), and not sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) ((P<0.001)). Conclusion: The study showed that Placental malaria was significantly associated with rural residence, hemoglobin genotype AA, not receiving intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp), and not sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN). Recognition of these significant predictors will enhance review and implementation of strategies for the prevention of malaria in pregnancy.