The efficacy of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in the prevention of peripheral malarial parasitaemia among antenatal attendees at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (IPT) in the prevention of peripheral malarialparasitaemia among antenatal attendees at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria.

Methodology: It was a Cohort study in which women in their index pregnancy, not more than Para 2 between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy were recruited. A total of one hundred and eleven participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were followed up till 36 weeks of gestation. All participants took Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (3 tablets) at booking after assessment and they all had the second dose after four to six weeks.

Results: At booking 16 (14.4%) of the participants had Malaria Parasites; this figure reduced significantly to 1 (3.6%) at 36 weeks. There was alsomarked improvement in the packed cell volume.

Conclusion: This study has shown that the use of two treatment doses of Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine for the prevention of malaria is associated with a significantly lower prevalence of peripheral malarial parasitaemia, clinical malaria in pregnancy, maternal anaemia, and a high mean packed cell volume.

Keywords: Malaria in antenatal attendees, Prevention, Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, ABUTH