Approximately 25 million pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa are at risk of malaria despite various preventive methods. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum antigen and its associated factors in pregnant women in Bamenda. A hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted in March and April 2021 including pregnant women attending ANC at the Bamenda Regional Hospital. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Positive Plasmodium falciparum test was determined using a malaria rapid diagnostic test. Frequency table was used to describe the data, Chi square to determine association between independent and dependent variables. Factors significantly associated with positive test were included in a multivariable model. mong the 380 participants, 70 had a positive rapid diagnostic test (prevalence: 18.4%). Factors associated with positive malaria antigen on bivariate analysis were living in rural area (OR: 4.93, 95% CI: 1.86-13.14), not using insecticide-treated nets (OR: 109.95, 95% CI: 49.43-271.73), not using indoor residual spraying (OR: 15.21, 95% CI: 3.25-271.35), first and second trimesters of gestation compared to third trimester (OR: 20.27, 95% CI: 7.33-61.29; OR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.49-5.33 respectively) and presence of mosquito breeding site (OR = 99.75, 95% CI: 38.84-340). Following multivariate logistic regression, Presence of mosquito breeding sites (AOR: 21.89, 95% CI: 5.25-121.13), and not using insecticide-treated nets (AOR: 10.82, 95% CI: 3.13-40.37) remained significantly associated. The prevalence of positive Plasmodium falciparum antigen test is high amongst pregnant women. Numerous risk factors are associated with positive plasmodium falciparum amongst these women.

Keywords: Plasmodium falciparum; pregnant women; malaria; prevalence; sub-Saharan Africa