Abstract
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are the common health problems in developing countries with low socioeconomic and poor living conditions. IPIs affect millions of pregnant women worldwide and may lead to adverse maternal and fetal effects. The present study was aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors of IPIs among pregnant women in Ethiopia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 384 pregnant women was conducted from November 2018 to March 2019. Relevant information on potential risk factors associated with IPIs was gathered using a semistructured questionnaire. Stool samples were collected and examined using wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the possible association between dependent and independent variables. The overall prevalence of IPIs was 36.7%. Seven species of parasites were identified. The most prevalent intestinal protozoan parasite identified was Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (9.6%) followed by Giardia intestinalis (8.9%). The predominant helminth parasite identified was Ascaris lumbricoides (8.6%), followed by hookworm (5.2%), Taenia spp. (3.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.3%), and Schistosoma mansoni (1.04%). Six pregnant women (1.56%) had infection by two parasite species. The odds of IPIs were higher among illiterates (AOR = 4.63), lowest monthly income earners (AOR = 3.49), primigravida (pregnant for the first time) (AOR = 2.04), those who used unboiled well/stream/river water for drinking (AOR = 14.55), ate soil (AOR = 2.32), and consumed raw vegetables (AOR = 1.91). The prevalence of IPIs in the study subjects was substantially high. Thus, screening of the women for IPIs and providing health education during their antenatal care (ANC) visit are recommended to prevent possible adverse maternal and fetal effects resulting from these infections.
Highlights
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs), caused by helminths and protozoan parasites, are among the most common public health problems in developing countries with low income, low level of education, lack of clean water supply, and poor personal and environmental sanitation [1, 2]
Majority of the study subjects were in the age group of 20-24 years (41.4%), married (74.2%), able to write and read (45.3%), urban dwellers (51.1%), earners of a monthly income between 500-1000 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) (48.4%), and housewives (69.8%) (Table 1)
A. lumbricoides, 8.6% (33/384), was the most prevalent followed by hookworm, 5.2% (20/384), Taenia species, 3.6% (14/384), S. stercoralis, 1.3% (5/384), and S. mansoni, 1.04% (4/384)
Summary
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs), caused by helminths and protozoan parasites, are among the most common public health problems in developing countries with low income, low level of education, lack of clean water supply, and poor personal and environmental sanitation [1, 2]. The most common intestinal protozoan parasites of humans are Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Giardia intestinalis, and Cryptosporidium spp., whereas the most common parasitic helminths affecting humans are Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus), and Strongyloides stercoralis [3]. The majority of cases of IPIs are asymptomatic; they can cause a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, abdominal pain, fever, and bloating and weight loss [4]. IPIs may cause vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, growth retardation, and poor educational performance [4]
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