A perspective of the epidemiology of malaria and anaemia and their impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes in Sudan

Authors

  • Ishag Adam Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Sudan
  • Elhassan M Elhassan Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Sudan
  • Abd Elrahium D Haggaz University of Geizera, Wad Medani, Sudan
  • Abdel Aziem A Ali Faculty of Medicine, Kassala University, Sudan
  • Gamal K Adam Faculty of Medicine, Gadarif University, Sudan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.1282

Keywords:

malaria, anaemia, pregnancy, perinatal, Sudan

Abstract

Introduction: Both malaria and anaemia have adverse effects on maternal and perinatal outcomes. Thus there is an urgent need to investigate the co-epidemiology of malaria and anaemia and their combined impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes in the different regions of Sudan

Methodology: Various cross-sectional and case control studies conducted during the years 2003-2010 to investigate the epidemiology of malaria and anaemia and their impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes in different regions of Sudan were compared.

Results: While 13.7% of antenatal attendants in New Halfa had peripheral microscopically detected Plasmodium falciparum malaria, placental malaria (using histological examinations) was prevalent in 32.0-40% and 19.5% of parturient women in New Halfa and Gadarif Hospitals, respectively. Malaria was a risk factor for anaemia in New Halfa and for stillbirths in Omdurman Maternity Hospital. Anaemia was present in 52.5%, 62.6% and 80.2% of pregnant women in Medani, New Halfa, and Gadarif Hospitals, respectively. In Gadarif, 57.3% of pregnant women had a folate deficiency, while 1% had a vitamin B12, deficiency. In Medani, zinc and copper deficiencies were detected in 45.0% and 4% of pregnant women, respectively. Anaemia was a risk factor for low birth weight in Al-Fashir, for fetal anaemia in New Halfa, and for stillbirth in Kassala Hospital.

Conclusion: More care should be taken to ensure proper nutrition and malaria prevention such as bed nets and intermittent preventive treatments to avoid these diseases and their effects on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Author Biographies

Ishag Adam, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Sudan

Epidemiology obstetrics, University of Khartoum

Elhassan M Elhassan, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Sudan

Department of Obstetrics, University of Geizera

Abd Elrahium D Haggaz, University of Geizera, Wad Medani, Sudan

Department of Obstetrics, University of Geizera

Abdel Aziem A Ali, Faculty of Medicine, Kassala University, Sudan

Department of Obstetrics, University of Kasala

Gamal K Adam, Faculty of Medicine, Gadarif University, Sudan

Department of Obstetrics, University of Gadarif

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Published

2010-10-08

How to Cite

1.
Adam I, Elhassan EM, Haggaz AED, Ali AAA, Adam GK (2010) A perspective of the epidemiology of malaria and anaemia and their impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes in Sudan. J Infect Dev Ctries 5:83–87. doi: 10.3855/jidc.1282

Issue

Section

Regional Reviews