Co-infection of Plasmodium falciparum and HIV among pregnant women in Edo State, Nigeria

Background: P. falciparum and HIV diseases affect the poorest group of a population that are made vulnerable by the lack of access to quality education, information and health facilities, all of which are characteristic of sub-Saharan Africa. This study was conducted to determine the co-infection of P. falciparum and HIV among pregnant women in Edo State, Nigeria.Methods: A total of 459 HIV infected pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at the Central Hospital Benin City, were enrolled. The age of participants ranged from 20 – 48 years. Blood specimens were collected from participants and analysed for HIV and P. falciparum detection, full blood count and CD4+ T cells count estimation. Chi squared (X2) was used for frequency data whereas odd ratio (OR) was analysed for each potential risk factor.Results: An overall prevalence of 27.2% of P. falciparum infection among HIV infected pregnant women in Edo State, Nigeria was observed. HIV infected pregnant women that are 20-29 years age group, those single, primary school leavers, traders, first trimester, primiparous, use of insecticide-treated bed nets, rainy season and anaemia significantly affected the prevalence of P. falciparum infection (P<0.0.0001).Conclusion: The administration of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) as early as possible during pregnancy, use of insecticide-treated bed nets and effective and prompt malaria management are advocated.Keywords: Edo State, HIV, pregnancy, P. falciparum Co-infectio