Prevalence and Risk Factors for Sulfadoxine Antibody Among Patients Undergoing Treatment for Malaria in Benin City, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: Because of lack of data on the prevalence of sulfadoxine antibody, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of sulfadoxine antibodies and its possible risk factors.

METHODS: Blood specimens were collected from 500 patients undergoing treatment for malaria at Central Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information and sociodemographic data. Sulfadoxine antibodies were detected by drug absorption (DAT) and immune complex (IMC) methods. ABO, rhesus blood group, and hemoglobin (Hb) phenotype were determined by using standard technique.

RESULTS: DAT method had a significantly higher rate of detecting sulfadoxine antibodies compared to IMC method (p = 0.019). Age, gender, and level of education did not affect the prevalence of sulfadoxine antibodies (p > 0.050). Patients that were an artisan (p < 0.001), married (p = 0.025), living in a two-room apartment (p = 0.003), had history of drug reaction, consumed antimalarial drug (maloxine), and consumed sulfadoxine-containing drug within the last month (p < 0.001 each), and significantly affected the prevalence of sulfadoxine antibodies. Individuals with Hb phenotype AA had significantly higher prevalence of sulfadoxine antibodies (p < 0.001), and presence of rhesus D antigen was associated with sulfadoxine antibodies.

CONCLUSIONS: An overall prevalence of 22.0% among the tested individuals had sulfadoxine antibodies. Prudent use of sulfadoxine containing drugs is advocated.