Abstract
BackgroundAnaemia is known to be one of the outcomes of parasitic infection and it may result in impaired cognitive development, reduced physical work capacity and in severe cases increased risk of mortality, particularly during the prenatal period. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of anaemia among pregnant women in Gilgel-Gibe dam area, southwestern Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional community based study was conducted on 388 pregnant women living in three districts around Gilgel Gibe Dam area, southwestern Ethiopia. Socio-demographic and socio-economic data were collected from each participant. A single stool sample was also collected from each selected pregnant woman. Haemoglobin concentration was determined by the cyanmethemoglobin method. Plasmodium infection prevalence and intensity were assessed with thin and thick blood film examination.ResultsOf the total 388 study participants, 209 (53.9%) were anaemic. Pregnant woman who were rural residents (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.62, 95% C.I: 1.02-2.62, P= 0.042), not using insecticide treated nets (ITNs) during the study period (AOR = 2.84, 95% C.I: 1.33-6.05, p = 0.007), those who were Plasmodium malaria infected (AOR = 11.19, 95% C.I: 3.31-37.7, p= 0.01) and those with Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections (AOR=1.82, 95% C.I: 1.16-2.87, p=0.001) had higher odds of being anaemic than those who were urban residents, using ITNs, free of Plasmodium malaria and Soil transmitted helminth infection, respectively. There was a significant correlation between increasing hookworm parasite load (r = −.110, P< 0.001), Ascaris lumbricoides (r = −.122, P < 0.001) and Trichuris trichiura (r = −.025, P < 0.001) and decreasing hematocrit values.ConclusionThe high prevalence of anaemia indicates it is currently a serious health problem of pregnant women living in Gilgel Gibe Dam area. Plasmodium malaria and soil transmitted helminth infections were significantly associated with anaemia. Antenatal care should promote de-worming and education on personal hygiene. Therefore, there is a need to design strategies that help to diagnose pregnant women for malaria and STH infections during their antenatal care (ANC) visit instead of testing for only haemoglobin (Hgb) levels and blood group.
Highlights
Anaemia is known to be one of the outcomes of parasitic infection and it may result in impaired cognitive development, reduced physical work capacity and in severe cases increased risk of mortality, during the prenatal period
The study findings indicated that hookworm infection (P = 0.002), malaria (p < 0.001) and hookworm/ Plasmodium infection (p < 0.001) showed significant association with anaemia
Our findings indicated that pregnant women from rural residences, not using insecticide treated nets (ITNs) during the study period, those who were Plasmodium infected and those with Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) infection were highly likely to be anaemic compared to those from urban residences, using ITN, free of Plasmodium and STH infection
Summary
Anaemia is known to be one of the outcomes of parasitic infection and it may result in impaired cognitive development, reduced physical work capacity and in severe cases increased risk of mortality, during the prenatal period. Parasitic diseases, including helminth infections and P. falciparum, have long been recognized as important contributors to anaemia in endemic countries [1]. Hookworm causes iron deficiency anaemia through the process of intestinal blood loss and through nitric oxide (NO) release [3]. Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiuria typically have little impact on iron status, and on anaemia. Because the mechanisms by which malaria and intestinal helminth infections cause anaemia differ, it is possible that their impact on anaemia are additive [4] and could exacerbate adverse birth outcomes [5]
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