CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter is presented under the following subheadings:- Research design, population of the study,
sample and sampling, instrumentation, methods of data collection and method of data analysis.

3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN

This study employed the survey research design. This method of research technique covers a broad area
of observation, which implies using a selected sample from a fraction of the population to analyze a
large population at a given point in time (Horton and hunt 2018).

This method was used here because it enabled the researcher to use the sample drawn to represent the
different elements of the population under study.

3.3 POPULATION OF THE STUDY

The population of the study comprises of pregnant women who indigenes of Mbaayem Mbagba
community, Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State.Using the National population census of
2006, the total population of Mbaayem Mbagba was ten thousand five hundred and seven (10,507). It is
this number of pregnant women that constituted the study population of this work.

3.4 SAMPLE AND SAMPLING

The sample size for the study was one hundred (100). This sample size was considered large enough and
adequate to permit the statistical computation and the subgroup comparisons called for the study of
Mbaayem Mbagba community of

Ushongo Local Government Area which is made up of Mbamngukparev,Mbatehe,

Mba-abee,Mbahine which are all in Mbaayem, Mbagba community.

To select individual respondents, in the cases of the community, the systematic random sampling was
applied to select the welling home from where the respondents are selected.

The households were further numbered. In selecting the households two pregnant women respondents
were selected at random on each chosen compound.The one hundred (100) which constituted the
sample size of the work were distributed among the above selected in proportion of the study
population,Mbamngu-Kparev had 25 respondents, Mbatehe had 30 respondents,Mbaabee had 25
respondents and Mbahine had 20 respondents.This brought the total number of 100.

3.5 INSTRUMENTATION FOR DATA COLLECTION.

Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection each respondent was issued a questionnaire to
answer in order to obtain the necessary information.Again to make the study comprehensive and more
effective, the questionnaire was designed to cover the topic under the study. One hundred coples of the
questionnaire were distributed. These questionnaire range from the level of awareness of malaria,
causative organism, signs and symptoms, effects,treatment,prevention and control of malaria.

3.6 VALIDITY OF THE INSTRUMENT

The instrument was validated by my supervisor Bro. Chieryol Ornguga KSM and other experts in the field
of Primary Health Care (PHC).

3.7 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

In order to get supports and co-operation, I collected a letter from the provost of UCDOMCU School of
Health Technology, Lessel to the head of the community which I am to carryout research work.

To ensure uniformity in interpretation of concepts and recording of respondents, the questionnaires

were administered to people face to face and

15

interview with one hundred (100) respondents, for this purpose, three research assistant from the
health clinic were recruited. They are trained on the objective significance and method of the study after
which they were used for data collection.

3.8 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS

Statistical procedure is used for data analysis and percentages were employed to assess the data
collected through questionnaires. This made for easy understanding of data collected. The data
collected from the questionnaire was processed and analyzed into tables for easy processing and
systematic analysis.

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULT

4.1.INTRODUCTION

As stated earlier in the previous chapter, in this chapter the research wishes to

presents analysis and interpret the data collected. It's the process of assigning

value to the raw information collected from the field, the procedures were methodologically mentioned,
hitherto it is discussed in detail.

The presentation are in simplè frequency table with fourcolumns,analysis is done in the subsequent
pages while the data interpretations are in paragraphs.Equally the discussion of finding tried to look at
the achievement and progress made so far on the effect of malaria in pregnancy on the women at
Mbaayem. Mbagba community, Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue state and the weaknesses
that require adequate attention as observed by the

researcher through the respondents.

4.2. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS ONE

Table1: frequency and percentage showing personal data distribution of the respondents.

PERSONAL DATA,FREQUENCY,PERCENTAGE,Sex:,

100,

100%,

Total,100,100%,Age:,50,50%,30,25-30,30%,20,31 and above,20%,100,Total,1.00%,Marital

Status:,100,Married,100%,0,Single,0%,Divorce,0,0%,Total,100,100%,Educational,background:,0,0%,Prim
ary school,72,72%,Secondary Level,28,28%,100,Tertiary
Level,100%,Total,Farming,50,50%,Trading,30,30%,Civil servant,20,20%,Total,

100,

100%,

The table above shows the personal data frequency and percentage of the respondents which total
number of 100 respondents representing female only

100 respondents with 100%, ages from 18-25 years of age 50 respondent representing 50%, 26 - 30
years were 30 respondents representing 30%, 31and above years of age 20 respondents representing
20%. The table also shows that all the respondents were married 100 respondents representing
100%,their educational level indicate that 72 respondents representing 72%were in secondary level,
while 28 respondents representing 28%. In terms of occupation 50 respondents representing 50% wee
farmers, 30 respondents representing 30% were traders and 20 respondents representing 20% were

civil servant.

4.3.RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS TWO

Table 2: the causes of Malaria in pregnancy on the women at Mbaayem Mbagba Community. N=100
Statement items,Yes,%,No,%,Total,%,Pregnant women complain of mosquito bites in Mbaayem,Mbagba
Community,56,56,44,44,100,100,Mosquitoes are more active in the day time than
night.,49,49,51,51,100,100,There are situations where by women displaced by war come to stay in
Mbaayem Mbagba,

4.4. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS THREE

Table 3: effects of malaria in pregnancy

Statement items,Yes,%,No,%,Total,%,If pregnant women has fever,49,49,51,51,100,100,Villages who do

not farm can still get enough food to eat,37,37,63,63,100,100,Women who often go to hanpi de
ntpdmsh money,5 ,5.5,46,45,190,100,The number of rich women is morethan the poorin Mbaayem
Mbagba Community,

48,

48,

52,

52,

100,

100,

The result in table 3 above shows that 49 respondents representing 49% said

yes if pregnant women has fever can not go to the farm, while 51 repondents representing 51% said no
if pregnant women has fever can go to the farm. 37respondents representing 37% said yes villagers who
do not farm can still get enough food to eat while 63 respondents representing 63% said no villagers

The result in table 4 above shows that 80 respondents representing 80% said yes pregnant women who
complain feeling of un-wellness also talked about problem of mosquito bites. While 20 respondents
representing 20% said no pnant women whe completn fooline of un wellle nat tlhad abeut problem of
mosquito bites, 47 reapondents representing 47% sald you pregnant women ever experienced fever
when bitten by mosquito while 53respondents representing 53% said no pregnant women did not ever
experienced fever when bitten by mosquito. 83 respondents representing 83%said yes pregnant women
often have fever and headache when bitten by mosquitoes, while 17 respondents representing 17% said
no pregnant women did not often have fever and headache when bitten by mosquitoes. 60respondents
representing 60% said yes sick pregnant women need blood most time when going to your clinic in their
community, while 40 respondents representing 40% said no sick pregnant women did not received
blood most time when going to the clinic in their community.

4.6.SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS

i. Most pregnant women are aware on effects of malaria

ii. They know that mosquito bites causes malaria

iii. Most pregnant women said that there are situations whereby pregnant women displaced by war
come to stay in Mbaayem, Mbagba community.This shows in data table 1

iv.They said that poverty and some religious practices prevent people

from killing mosquitoes or going for regular check-ups in order to

know their malaria status.

v. They said that if pregnant women has fever wil1 not go to the farm. It is shown in data table2

vi. Pregnant women who complain feeling of un-wellness also talked about problems of mosquitoes
bites.

vii.Use of mosquito nets, and use of chemical and clearing of bushes around the house can send
mosquitoes away from home and

viii.They know that pregnant women sanitation on other days.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY,CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The chapter five of this research work is divided into the following sub-headings: summary of the study,
conclusion, recommendation and suggestions of the study

5.1.SUMMARY

Malaria infected human placenta examined under the microscope. The intervillous spaces (central area
of the picture) are filled with red blood cells,most of which are infected with plasmodium falciparum
malaria parasites.The parasites appear here as black dots. A malaria infected placenta is unable to carry
out normally its main function: to provide nutrients to the fetus.

Pregnant women are routinely give folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects in their
infants. However, high doses of folic acid counteract the effect of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine.
Therefore, it is preferred that women take only the recommended 0.4 mg daily dose of folic acid. In
some countries, 5mg of folic acid are used, and in those countries, it is recommended to withhold folic
acid supple;nentation for two weeks after taking IPTp with sulfadoxine-pyrimetamine to ensure optimal
efficacy.

5.2.CONCLUSION

Malaria has become one of the most challenging infectious diseases to eradicate in Africa. The overall
disease burden is devastating youth, women,and health systems. Malaria accounts for 40% of public
health expenditure,30% to 50% of inpatient admission, and up to 50% of outpatient visits in endemic
regions. It has affected Africa's human resources and directly lowered its annual economic growth. It not
only debilitates the workforce, but keeps children from going to school, prevents pregnant mothers
from effectively caring for their families, and decreases the likelihood of a healthy

pregnancy outcome. Governments and donors have recognized this extraordinary toll and have
increased their commitment toward prevention,treatment,and eradication. More successful programs
have included reducing tariffs on ITNs to make them more affordable, incorporating infectious disease in
reproductive health programs, and intermittent preventive treatment. With sustained governmental
commitment and financial resources,the eradication of malaria can succeed.

The United Sate, Europe, and parts of Central and South America have had success in eradicating
malaria, whereas sub-Saharan Africa Continues to bear the burden of diseases.

Recent advances in diagnosis include immunochromotographic dispstick assays that report sensitivity
above 90% and may be a better diagnostic tool for use in pregnant women.

Pregnant women are 3 times more likely to suffer from severe disease as compared with their
nonpregnant counterpart and have a mortality rate form severe malaria infection that approaches 50%.

Pregnant women suffer disproportionately from severe anemia as a result of malarial infection. Women
with severe anemia are at higher risk for congestive heart failure, fetal demise, and mortality associated
with hemorrhage at the time of delivery.

Current prevention of malarial disease in pregnancy relies on providing women with insecticide-treated
bed nets and intermittent presumptive treatment.

5.3. RECOMMENDATION

The currently recommended interventions for pregnant women are:

Use ofinsecticide-treated bed nets.

Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPTp) (for HIV negative women in high transmission areas).

Effective case management (diagnosis and treatment of illness)

Pregnant women should also receive iron/folate supplementation to protect them against anemia, a
common occurrence among all pregnant women.
IPTp entails administration of a curative dose of an effective antimalarial drug (currently sulfadoxine-
pyrimethamine) to all pregnant women without testing whether or not they are infected with the
malaria parasite. IPTp should be given at each routine antenatal care visit, starting as early as possible in
the second trimester.

5.3.SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER STUDIES

This study is not exhaustive; hence further study should be carried out on topics related to the effect of
malaria on the pregnant women of Mbaayem Mbagba in Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue
State. It is therefore,suggested that, further research should cover the whole of the local government,
there should be more elaborated follow-upresearch on this topic covering the whole state or the whole
country at large so that the findings could be more generalized.