Abstract
Background Intestinal parasitic infections affect pregnant women worldwide. The infection has been implicated in causing life-threatening conditions in both gravid women and their developing foetus. Sub-Saharan Africa is known to harbor the greatest proportion of intestinal parasitic infections largely due to socioeconomic and environmental factors. In Kasoa, Southern Ghana, there is paucity of data on the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant women. Objective The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Kasoa Polyclinic. Methods A hospital based analytical cross-sectional study was carried out among three hundred (300) conveniently sampled pregnant women receiving antenatal care services at the Kasoa Polyclinic. Structured questionnaires were administered to the study participants to assess sociodemographic and other possible factors. Stool samples were collected from each pregnant woman and examined for the presence of intestinal parasites by microscopy using direct wet mount as well as formol-ether sedimentation techniques. Results Overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 14.3% (95% CI 11–19%). Entamoeba histolytica (5.0%) was the most predominant parasite species identified followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (4.3%), Giardia lamblia (2.3%), Trichuris trichiura (1.3%), Schistosoma mansoni (0.3%), Hookworm (0.3%), Hymenolepis nana (0.3%), and Isospora belli (0.3%). Age > 30 years (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.06–0.48; p=0.001), multigravidity (AOR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.19–0.97; p=0.043), and 2nd and 3rd trimesters (AOR = 4.73, 95% CI = 1.36–16.49; p=0.015) were independently associated with intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant women. Conclusions A prevalence of 14.3% pregnant women compared to previous studies in Ghana is relatively low. It however suggests that intestinal parasitic infection is still a problem. The major factors noted were age, gravidity, and gestational age. Routine stool examination and provision of public health education are recommended to prevent infection of pregnant mothers and their unborn babies.
Highlights
Intestinal parasitic infections are primarily caused by protozoans and helminthes [1]. ey are frequently transmitted via consumption of contaminated food, bathing, and wading through contaminated water as well as spread from person to person through fecal-oral contact
In Nigeria, it was observed that 18.2% (73/401) pregnant women were living with intestinal parasitic infections [6]
Is presents a significant public health situation that requires urgent attention. To deal with this appropriately, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service set up the Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Program (NTDCP) with the rationale of alleviating the occurrence of neglected tropical diseases including intestinal parasitic infections in the country to an insignificant level [12]. is study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Kasoa Polyclinic
Summary
Intestinal parasitic infections are primarily caused by protozoans and helminthes [1]. ey are frequently transmitted via consumption of contaminated food, bathing, and wading through contaminated water as well as spread from person to person through fecal-oral contact. Ey are prevalent in areas where there is overcrowding, limited access to clean water, and poor personal hygiene [2, 3] Pregnant women, especially those in Africa, are at greater risk of intestinal parasitic infections [4]. Data from previous studies in Ghana showed that intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant women were 41.2% [7] and 49.6% [8]. Is presents a significant public health situation that requires urgent attention To deal with this appropriately, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service set up the Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Program (NTDCP) with the rationale of alleviating the occurrence of neglected tropical diseases including intestinal parasitic infections in the country to an insignificant level [12]. To deal with this appropriately, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service set up the Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Program (NTDCP) with the rationale of alleviating the occurrence of neglected tropical diseases including intestinal parasitic infections in the country to an insignificant level [12]. is study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Kasoa Polyclinic
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