Prevalence and predictors of malaria in pregnant women in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Innocent Tembo; Jane C. Kalele; Bright Simwinga; Towela Mgemezulu; Teembo Mwanza; Eustarckio Kazonga; Steward Mudenda; Richard Mutemwa

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20243309

Authors

Innocent Tembo Department of Public Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8218-6239
Jane C. Kalele Department of Public Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia
Bright Simwinga Department of Public Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia
Towela Mgemezulu Department of Public Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia
Teembo Mwanza Department of Public Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia
Eustarckio Kazonga Department of Public Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia
Steward Mudenda Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
Richard Mutemwa Department of Public Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20243309

Keywords:

Malaria, Pregnant women, Sub-Saharan Africa, Prevalence, Predictors

Abstract

Malaria remains a significant threat to pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to estimate the prevalence and identify predictors of malaria infection among pregnant women in the region. Following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search of PubMed Central, Google Scholar, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library was conducted, including 15 studies published between 2013 and 2023. The pooled prevalence of malaria, calculated using a random-effects model, was 19.0% (95% CI: 0.13-0.26), with heterogeneity (I²=81.9%) reflecting geographical and climatic diversity. Prevalence rates ranged from 6.4% in Burkina Faso to 36.4% in Tanzania. Asymptomatic cases had a prevalence of 19.0% (95% CI: 0.10-0.38), while symptomatic cases were slightly lower at 17.0% (95% CI: 0.12-0.23). Predictors of malaria included maternal age, parity, insecticide-treated net usage, intermittent preventive treatment, trimester-specific risk, and education level. These findings underscore the need for targeted, context-specific interventions to mitigate malaria risk among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa and inform effective malaria control strategies.

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