ArticleMalaria journal2026
High burden of histology-confirmed placental malaria and associated adverse birth outcomes among primigravidae in Northwestern Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.
Article in Malaria journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundMalaria remains a major public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania, contributing significantly to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Placental malaria [PM] is linked to adverse fetal outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, small-for-gestational-age infants, congenital malaria, and intrauterine death. Primigravidae are particularly vulnerable due to limited malaria-specific immunity and socio-economic barriers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of placental malaria, fetal outcomes, and associated factors among primigravidae women delivering at Sengerema Designated District Hospital [DDH], Mwanza, Tanzania.
methodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study enrolled 422 primigravidae women from October 2024 to April 2025. Structured questionnaires and reviews of antenatal care [ANC] cards captured socio-demographic, obstetric, and medical information. Maternal peripheral, cord, and placental blood were screened for malaria using rapid diagnostic tests [RDT], microscopy, and placental histology. Neonatal outcomes recorded included birth weight, gestational age, survival, and growth for gestational age.
resultsAmong 422 primigravidae, malaria prevalence was higher by microscopy than mRDT in maternal 19.7% [95% CI 15.9-23.5) and 6.9% (95% CI 4.5-9.3], respectively Histopathology showed 39.8% prevalence. Adolescents had higher infection rates. Active, active-chronic, and past chronic infections were 15.4%, 13.0%, and 11.4%, respectively. The study showed histologically confirmed PM prevalence of 39.8% [95% CI 35.1-44.5], and 23.7% [95% CI 19.6-27.8] by microscopy. The prevalence of maternal peripheral malaria and congenital malaria by microscopy was found to be 19.7% [95% CI 15.9-23.5 and 6.9% (95% CI 4.5-9.3], respectively. Significant predictors of PM included fewer than four ANC visits [AOR = 1.75, p = 0.04] and moderate anemia [AOR = 1.84, p = 0.04]. PM was significantly associated with low birth weight [p = 0.01], preterm birth (p = 0.001), and small-for-gestational-age neonates [p = 0.048].
conclusionPlacental malaria is highly prevalent among primigravidae women attending Sengerema DDH. Early ANC attendance, supervised uptake of IPTp, and improved diagnostic detection are critical to reducing malaria-related maternal and neonatal complications. LIMITATION: Cross-sectional design limits causality and generalizability. Use of LNMP and lack of PCR may have caused misclassification and under-detection. Exclusion of HIV-positive women and incomplete ITN/IPTp assessment may affect applicability.
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