Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of the study population
| Factor | Pregnant women (n = 24) | Non-pregnant women (n = 24) |
|---|---|---|
| Age (years), mean (SD) | 23.6 (6.1) | 27.0 (8.9) |
| Marital status, n | ||
| married | 19 | 14 |
| single | 5 | 8 |
| widowed | — | 2 |
| Attended school, n (%) | 4 (16.7) | 3 (12.5) |
| Parity, n | ||
| none | — | 9 |
| one | 10 | 2 |
| two | 8 | 2 |
| three | 6 | 11 |
| Gestation at enrolment, n | ||
| second trimester | 12 | — |
| third trimester | 12 | — |
| Weight (kg), mean (SD) | 54.1 (5.7) | 53.5 (5.8) |
| Height (cm), mean (SD) | 160.6 (5.7) | 162.8 (5.6) |
| Body mass index (kg/m²), mean (SD) | 21.0 (1.8) | 20.2 (1.9) |
| Fever in past 48 h, n | 7 | 6 |
| Temperature at enrolment (°C), mean (SD) | 36.9 (0.4) | 36.7 (0.5) |
| Haemoglobin at enrolment (g/dL), mean (SD) | 9.0 (1.1) | 11.6 (1.3) |
| Parasite density (number of parasites/µL), geometric mean (95% CI) | 1029 (455–2327) | 152 (86–270) |
| Ownership of one bed net, n (%) | 3 (12.5) | 4 (16.7) |
| Slept under bed net last night, n/n | 1/3 | 2/4 |
| At least two antenatal clinic visits attended, n (%) | 7 (29.2) | — |
| Previous use of medicine to treat fever during current pregnancy, n (%) | 7 (29.2) | — |
| Taking iron, n (%) | 8 (33.3) | — |