Geophagy as risk behaviour for gastrointestinal nematode infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in a humid tropical zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Geophagy is wide spread among pregnant women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess intestinal nematode infections among geophagous pregnant women in Southern Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Methods: Pregnant women were aged 17-45 years at gestational ages of ≥ 14 to 24 weeks on hospital enrolment were sampled. Data on geophagy was collected using structured questionnaire. Gastrointestinal nematode status of the participants was determined by stool analyses. Soil types ingested were examined for intestinal nematode ova / larvae. Results: The prevalence of geophagy (46.4%) was associated with socio-demographic characteristics. Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm were associated with geophagy while Trichuris trichiura and Strongyloides stercoralis had no association. Prevalence of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and S. stercoralis differed significantly (p<0.05) between geophagous and non-geophagous women. The soil types consumed had eggs / larvae of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. Geophagy is a risk behaviour directly associated with A. lumbricoides, hookworm, T. trichiura, and to a lesser extent S. stercoralis infection among pregnant women. Conclusion: Sensitization and mass education of pregnant women on the dangers of geophagy is needed. Furthermore, deworming of pregnant women should be integrated into the healthcare delivery system of the State.

Is parity a cause of tooth loss? Perceptions of northern Nigerian Hausa women

“…The Hausa women in our study related sugar consumption to pregnancy cravings. This may be culturally specific or dependent on local food resources, as pregnancy cravings for non-sugary foods in Africa are known to include clay and soils [62,63]. While most studies document higher caries rates in women than men [28,30–33], differential consumption of sweet foods has not been directly implicated as the cariogenic agent.…”

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Yifag Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia

“…This finding was in agreement with the reports from Southern Ethiopia (9.9%) [ 29 ]; Wondo Genet district, Southern Ethiopia (11.2%) [ 9 ]; and Venezuela (8.1%) [ 24 ]. However, this prevalence was lower than that of the study conducted in Northwest Ethiopia (20%) [ 12 ]; the Gilgel Gibe Dam area, Southwest Ethiopia (29.4%) [ 18 ]; Lalo Kile district, Western Ethiopia (33.7%) [ 7 ]; the Maytsebri primary hospital, North Ethiopia (39.96%) [ 16 ]; Uganda (40.5%) [ 37 ]; and Nigeria (44.4%) [ 38 ]. But it was higher than the reports from Kenya (3.92%) [ 21 ] and Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia (5.5%) [ 6 ].…”

“…It was comparable with the results of the reports from Wolayita Sodo Town, Southern Ethiopia (5.5%) [ 31 ]; Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia (2.9%) [ 6 ]; and Kenya (6.5%) [ 21 ]. But it was higher than the findings in Arba Minch Town, Ethiopia (0.3%) [ 25 ] and in Ghana (0.9%) [ 39 ] and lower than results from Lalo Kile district, Western Ethiopia (7.3%) [ 7 ]; the Gilgel Gibe Dam area, Southwest Ethiopia (15%) [ 18 ]; the Maytsebri primary hospital, North Ethiopia (12.7%) [ 16 ]; Wondo Genet district, Southern Ethiopia (24.9%) [ 9 ]; Mecha District, Northwest Ethiopia (32.2%) [ 22 ]; Nigeria (52.2%) [ 38 ]; and Venezuela (57.0) [ 24 ]. The observed difference might be due to environmental conditions and environmental sanitation problems, differences in eating raw vegetables, lack of handwashing, agricultural practices, waste disposal habit, lack of clean waters, and open defecations [ 22 , 40 ].…”

A Review of Strongyloides spp. Environmental Sources Worldwide

“…Geophagy is culturally accepted and common in sub-Saharan Africa. This behavior is common in pregnant women; S. stercoralis infections have been observed, along with other soil-transmitted helminth infections, in these women [85,86]. Geophagy may be undertaken as a method for diet supplementation in low-income areas.…”

“…within soil was between 1% and 20%. Ivoke et al [85] screened 797 pregnant women for parasitic infections related to geophagy. The prevalence of infection was 1% within this cohort.…”