Prevalence of Malaria in Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes at Specialist Hospital, Yola, Adamawa State

Malaria in pregnancy is a major contributor to maternal anaemia, preterm delivery, and low birth weight in North East Nigeria, where Plasmodium falciparum transmission remains high year-round and intermittent preventive treatment coverage is incomplete. This study examines the prevalence of malaria in pregnancy and its associated birth outcomes at the Specialist Hospital, Yola, Adamawa State. A cross-sectional analytical design is applied to 300 consecutive parturients admitted for delivery. Peripheral blood films and rapid diagnostic tests are performed at admission to confirm malaria status. Data include gestational age, antenatal care attendance, intermittent preventive treatment dose history, haemoglobin at admission, mode of delivery, newborn birth weight, and 72-hour neonatal outcomes. SPSS is used for analysis, with chi-square tests examining associations. Available malaria in pregnancy literature from North East Nigeria indicates a peripartum malaria prevalence of approximately 25 to 35 percent among parturients in endemic states, with confirmed malaria significantly associated with low birth weight and anaemia requiring transfusion. The WHO policy framework for malaria prevention in pregnancy guides the normative assessment. Findings will support Adamawa State's malaria programme in scaling up intermittent preventive treatment delivery through antenatal care contacts. Keywords: malaria in pregnancy, birth outcomes, Adamawa State, North East Nigeria, intermittent preventive treatment.