ARC Journal of Nursing and Healthcare (AJNH) Volume 2, Issue 2, 2016, PP 23-32 ISSN 2455-4324 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2455-4324.0202004 www.arcjournals.org ©ARC Page | 23 A Study of the Outcomes of 103 Pregnant Women Admitted with Malaria at Three District Hospitals in Mashonaland East Province and One Central Hospital in Harare Province in Zimbabwe 1* Muchabayiwa F Gidiri, FRCOG, 2 Reuben Bishi, MMed O&G, 1 Thulani L Magwali, MMed O&G 1 Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, B-Floor Old health Sciences Building University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Mazowe Street, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe 2 Mutare Provincial Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mutare, Zimbabwe *Corresponding Author: Dr Muchabayiwa F Gidiri University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology B-Floor Old Health Sciences Building, Mazowe Street, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe Abstract: Objectives: To evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes and factors that influence these outcomes in women diagnosed with malaria in pregnancy. Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study of women admitted with malaria over an 8-month period using an interviewer-administered questionnaire plus case notes review for prospective data collection. Setting: The study setting was three district hospitals in a high seasonal malarial province and a central hospital in a non-malarial urban area in Zimbabwe. Subjects: There were 103 women admitted with malaria at the four study centres during the study period. Results: Maternal outcomes assessed were maternal deaths 2(2%), cerebral malaria 2(2%) and severe anaemia 6(6%). Maternal adverse outcomes appear to have been influenced by antenatal booking status, HIV infection, use of preventive measures and late presentation to hospital. Of the 51 patients delivered by the time of discharge, 23% were live term births, 10% preterm births, 10% low birth weight babies, 6% stillbirths and 9% miscarriages. Nearly half the patients did not use intermittent preventive treatment. Conclusion: Malaria is a significant cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. However, most women if diagnosed and treated early will recover and have a good pregnancy outcome. Women living in malaria endemic areas may benefit from intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) and early booking for antenatal care enables them to access IPT and insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) where available. 1. INTRODUCTION The majority of malaria cases in Zimbabwe are due to plasmodium falciparum. Malaria is transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito, which is widely distributed in the tropics where the conditions are ideal for breeding. Malaria is an extremely climate sensitive tropical disease which makes it a grave concern because of global warming and climate change. A study from the East African highlands has confirmed biological response of mosquito populations to global warming. A half degree centigrade increase in temperature trend can translate into 30-100% increase in mosquito abundance [1,2]. Malaria, which was once nearly eradicated, is re-emerging as the world’s number one infection causing deaths. The disease now affects 300-500 million and kills 3 million people