Abstract

Malaria is the world’s most important tropical disease, killing more people than any other communicable disease
Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous parasite, causes malaria in the sub-Saharan African region. In the
tropics, malaria is more common in pregnant women than in any other adult group because of the hormonal and
immunological changes that take place in the pregnant woman’s body. We admitted two men to Fort Portal
Regional Referral Hospital to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with malaria in pregnancy. We
used a cross-sectional descriptive study design to collect both quantitative and qualitative data on the prevalence
and risk factors of malaria among pregnant women admitted to Fort portal Regional Referral Hospital. The study
found that the prevalence of malaria in pregnancy was 22 (19.2%) in the mothers recruited in the study. The study
also found that being unemployed (59.1%; p-value 0.041) and having a having a rural residence (72.7%; p-value
0.028) were significant factors that led to malaria in pregnancy. Additionally, being in the first or second trimester,
14 (63.6%); p-value 0.042, and not using an insecticide-treated mosquito net, 12 (54.5%); p-value 0.033, were
predisposing factors to malaria in pregnancy. The prevalence of malaria remains high, at 19.3%, necessitating
significant efforts to mitigate its morbidity effects. Increased awareness about malaria preventive measures and
early attendance at antenatal care services will help reduce malaria in pregnancy and its associated morbidities