Prevalence soil transmitted helminthiasis and malaria co-infection among pregnant women and risk factors in Gilgel Gibe Dam area, southwest Ethiopia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

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.

METHODS:

A 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.

RESULTS:

The 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).

CONCLUSION:

Intestinal 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.

• Authors: Million Getachew, Ketema Tafess, Ahmed Zeynudin, Delenesaw Yewhalaw
• Journal: BMC research notes (BMC Res Notes) Vol. 6 Pg. 263 (Jul 09 2013) ISSN: 1756-0500 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23837685 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Soil

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Ethiopia (epidemiology)
• Female
• Helminthiasis (complications, epidemiology, transmission)
• Humans
• Malaria (complications, epidemiology, transmission)
• Middle Aged
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications, Infectious (epidemiology)
• Prevalence
• Risk Factors
• Socioeconomic Factors
• Soil (parasitology)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Young Adult