Plasmodium falciparum infections and Soil Transmitted helminthes correlates with Anemia in Pregnancy: Cross-Sectional Study in Kwale County, Kenya

Abstract

Background Prevalence of Anemia in Pregnancy (AiP) in Kenya ranges from 40.6–69.1%. We estimated the prevalence of AiP and correlated Plasmodium falciparum infections and Soil transmitted Helminthes (STHs) infections among the predictors AiP among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) visits. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending ANC at Msambweni Hospital, between January and March 2024. Data was collected and analyzed in Epi Info 7. Descriptive statistics were calculated and we compared pregnant women with AiP with those without the condition. Crude Odds Ratios (COR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to identify factors associated with AiP. Results A total of 396 pregnant women were included in the study. The mean age was 27.4 years ± 6.5 years. Proportion of anemia was reported in 201 (50.76%) participants, and the mean Hb was 10.87 mg/dl (± 1.46 mg/dl); 108 (53.73%). The malaria positivity rate among them was 13.38% (53/396), and for STHs was 24/396 (6.06%) (95% CI; 4.11–8.86). Pregnant women with Plasmodium falciparum infections were 2.5 times more likely to experience anemia compared to those without malaria parasites (COR; 2.5, 95% CI: 1.35–4.71). Pregnant women residing in rural areas were 4.1 times more likely to have anemia than those living in urban areas (COR; 4.1, 95% CI: 2.64–6.39). Furthermore, pregnant women with STH infections were 1.7 times more likely to experience anemia compared to those without STH infections (COR; 1.7, 95% CI: 0.71–3.90). Conclusion The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women attending Msambweni County Referral Hospital remains high, associated with Plasmodium falciparum infections, STH infections, and women residing rural areas. Tailored interventions measures should be put in place to reverse the trend.