Factors associated with malaria in pregnancy in N'Zérékoré District, Republic of Guinea

Introduction: Malaria in pregnant women poses a significant public health challenge in Africa, with serious consequences for both the mother and the fetus, as well as the newborn. It is linked to a high rate of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with malaria in pregnant women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from March 1st to August 31st, 2023, involving all pregnant women at the Gonia Health Center in the health district of N’Zérékoré, Republic of Guinea. Data were collected using a questionnaire covering clinical, socioeconomic, and environmental information, along with the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT). A comprehensive sampling approach was employed. Using R software version 4.2.2, a multivariate analysis was performed with binomial logistic regression, and a 5% alpha error rate was used to determine odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. Results: We included 437 women in the study. The malaria frequency among the pregnant women was 28%(95% CI: 23.97-32.62). The average age was 23.20 (±6.20 years), with the most represented age group being women aged 19 to 22 years (29.7%). Nearly half of the pregnant women, 50.1%, were in the poorest socioeconomic well-being quintile, and 46.0% had no formal education. Factors associated with the occurrence of malaria in pregnant women were multiparity (aOR=0.58, 95%CI: 0.34-0.97), the second trimester of pregnancy (aOR = 3, 95%CI:1.64-5.63]), poor socioeconomic well-being quintile (aOR = 0.48 95%CI:0.29-0.79), the use of posters or billboards as a source of information (aOR = 2.01, 95%CI:1.03-3.91), and walking to prenatal care appointments (aOR = 0.51, 95%CI:0.28-0.89). Conclusion: The high prevalence of malaria among pregnant women in Gonia highlights factors such as socioeconomic status, sources of information, parity, gestational age, symptoms, the number of doses of antimalarial drugs, sleep, and travel habits. The high malaria prevalence among pregnant women underscores the need for comprehensive health education for healthcare professionals, with a focus on malaria prevention during prenatal consultations. Special attention is required for pregnant women with these risk factors to prevent and manage malaria infection effectively during pregnancy.