International Journal of Contemporary Research In Multidisciplinary, 2023;2(2):27-31
Studies on Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Malarial Infection and Pathogenic Microbiota in the Reproductive Tract of Pregnant Women in Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria
Author Name: Ezenwa Chika Maureen, Ukaga Chinyere, ObumNnadi Charity, Dr. Obasi Chidera, Dr. Victoria Uloma Ojiako, Dr. Kamalu N.A.
Abstract
Background: Socioeconomic factors influence the vulnerability of women to infection with malaria and reproductive tract infections (RTI) either singly or in concomitance with one another. However, no studies have been carried out to examine independent associations between these factors and malaria and other pathogenic infections during pregnancy in the reproductive tract of women in the study area.
Methods: After collecting their biodata, a trained health worker collects vaginal swabs from women taking part in the study by placing dry cotton sticks in their vaginal canal for a few seconds. These swabs were then rolled onto a slide and diagnosed for BV. To detect N. gonorrhoea, C. trachomatis, T. vaginalis,and other RTIs, Dacron was used in collecting cervico-vaginal samples for PCR tests. A sample from each participant was carefully labelled and stored at -20oC for some hours before extraction, carried
out within a day Using 10% Giemsa, malaria diagnosis was done using the thick and thin method. Educational attainment was classified into primary, secondary, and tertiary education, while economic status was established based on a family’s monthly
income into low, middle, and high income earners.
Results: Out of the 200 pregnant women that participated in the study, a total of 104 (52%) were singly or concurrently infected with malaria and reproductive tract infections, among whom 28 (26.9%) were within the age bracket of 18 and 24 years. 49 (47.1%) and 25 (24%), respectively, were aged 25 to 34 years and 35 to 44 years. Two participants were aged 45 years and older. Among the 104 participants with malaria and RTIs, a total of 102 (98%) were married, while 2 were widows. 18 (17.3%) had
primary school education, while 82 (78.8%) and 4 (3.8%) attained secondary and tertiary education, respectively. The majority of them, 97 (93.3%), were low-income earners, while 7 (6.7%) belonged to the middle income category.
Conclusion: The level of education and income status affect the prevalence of malaria and its co-infection with reproductive tract infections, both in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Improving women’s educational and economic wellbeing is imperative to improving risk awareness, thereby reducing and preventing malaria and RTI infections among women generally.
Keywords
socioeconomic, concomitant, malarial, pathogenic, microbiota, reproductive tract, pregnant women
