Abstract
BackgroundMalaria and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH) are co-endemic and major public health problems in Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of malaria and STHs co-infection and to determine the association risk factors.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, single stool sample and blood sample were collected from each participant.ResultsThe prevalence of STH and malaria was 159 (41%) and 45 (11.6%), respectively and the prevalence of STHs/malaria co-infection was 30 (7.7%). Hookworm was the most prevalent 114 (29.4%) soil transmitted helminthiasis infection followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides) 58 (15%) and Trichuris trichiura (T. trichiura) 13 (3.4%). Habit of eating soil (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 4.64, 95% CI: 1.50-14.36, P=0.008), presence of stagnant water near study participants’ house (AOR=2.99, 95% CI: 1.28-6.99, P=0.012) and habit of using human feces as a fertilizer (AOR= 5.34, 95% CI: 1.99-14.28, P<0.001) were found to be significantly associated with malaria and STH co-infection among the pregnant women. Hookworm parasitic load was positively correlated with malaria parasitic load (r = 0.299, P<0.001) while A. lumbricoides parasitic load was negatively correlated with malaria parasitic load (r = −0.095, P<0.001).ConclusionIntestinal parasite and/or malaria co-infection is a health problem among pregnant women living around Gilgel Gibe dam area. Therefore, intervention including improving sanitation, removing stagnant water, and health education to the pregnant women should be given.
Highlights
Malaria and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH) are co-endemic and major public health problems in Ethiopia
It was estimated that over a third of the world's population, mainly in the tropics and sub-tropics, is infected with parasitic helminthes and Plasmodium species [11] and an estimated 40 million pregnant women were infected with STHs and schistosomes globally [12]
The rainfall pattern of the area is similar to other parts of Ethiopia with the long rainy season starting in June and extending up to September, while the short rainy season begins in March and extends to April/May
Summary
Malaria and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH) are co-endemic and major public health problems in Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of malaria and STHs co-infection and to determine the association risk factors. Parasitic diseases pose major obstacles to health growth and socio-economic development in developing countries. Parasitic diseases such as malaria are life threatening as well as the leading cause of mortality in endemic countries; more severe to some risky groups, like pregnant women [1]. Immunological factors are expected to influence rates of co-infection because helminths modulate host immune responses both to themselves, and to concurrent infections. That is why pregnant women, immunologically compromised, are highly susceptible for parasitic infections such as malaria and Soil transmitted helminthiasis [6]. In a similar study done in Ghana, prevalence of coinfection was found to be 16.6% and women with intestinal helminth infection(s) were 4.8 times more likely to have malaria infection (Yatich et al, [14])
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