Malaria and associated factors among pregnant women in Sekyere East District Ghana: a cross-sectional survey.

Introduction: malaria in pregnancy (MiP) has deleterious effects not only on pregnant women but also on fetuses. This study therefore sought to assess the prevalence and associated factors of MiP in the Sekyere East District. Methods: a hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending ANC at the Effiduase Government Hospital from June to August 2023. Malaria parasitaemia was detected using Giemsa-stained blood smear microscopy. Logistic regression models were used to test the association between the outcome and explanatory variables. Explanatory variables that were significant in univariate analysis at p values < 0.05 were included in the multivariate model. Variables with p values < 0.05 at the 95% confidence interval from the multivariable model were considered to be significantly associated with the outcome variable. Results: the prevalence of MiP was 29.8% (79/265). Being a primigravida (AOR=4.72, 95% CI: [1.89-11.79]; p=0.001), being in the third trimester of gestation (AOR=7.93, 95% CI: [2.18-28.83]; p=0.002) and the intake of 1 dose of IPTp-SP (AOR=6.37; 95% CI: [0.61-66.63]; p=0.029) were independently associated with increased odds of MiP. Conclusion: the prevalence of MiP is relatively higher in the Sekyere East District compared to other parts of Ghana. Gravidity, gestational age and doses of IPTp-SP taken are associated risk factors for MiP. Targeted health promotion programs are needed, especially for primigravidae and pregnant women in the latter stages of gestation, to reduce MiP in the Sekyere East District.