Prevalence of Malaria and Associated Factors in Pregnancy: A cross-sectional Study at Wad Madani Maternity Teaching Hospital in Sudan

Objective: Due to the significant risks, it poses to both the mother and the fetus, malaria during pregnancy continues to be a substantial public health concern in many countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The goal of the current study was to find out how common malaria is among expectant women at the Wad Madani Maternity Teaching Hospital in Gazira, Sudan. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study; it was conducted at Wad Madani Maternity Teaching Hospital from March to June 2022. A convenience sampling technique was used. The included number in this study was 800 pregnant women. The data was collected retrospectively by reviewing all records of pregnant women who attended the hospital. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS. Results: The study shows that among the 800 participants, the majority (48%) were between the ages of 20-30 years, 61% were from Wad Madani, and the rest were from various regions. In terms of education, 45% had a university-level education, and 40% completed secondary school. Around half of the women were housewives (53%), and 48% were employed. The study also shows that the overall prevalence rate of malaria during pregnancy is 20.6%. Significant associations were found between malaria prevalence and age of 20-30 years, housewife occupation, and gestational age in the second trimester. Conclusion: The study showed that the prevalence of malaria among pregnant women at Wad Madani Maternity Teaching Hospital in Gazira, Sudan, was high and the women aged between 20-30 years, housewife occupation, and second trimester were significantly associated with higher malaria cases.