Prevalence and Factors Associated with Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Pregnant Women in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background. Intestinal parasitic infections are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan countries. The disease burden of these parasites is significantly high among pregnant women in developing countries like Ethiopia. Poor living conditions, sanitation, and hygiene are believed to be the contributing factors. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of intestinal parasitic infection and factors associated with pregnant women. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2017 to June 2017. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain the sociodemographic and other explanatory variables via face-to-face interviews. Stool samples were collected and examined using formol ether concentration technique. The magnitude of parasitic infection was calculated using descriptive statistics. The association between intestinal parasitic infection and determinant factors was assessed by logistic regression. The differences were considered to be statistically significant if the p value was less than 0.05. Results. From a total of 743 pregnant women, the overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 277 (37.3%). The prevalence of hookworm 138 (18.6%) was the leading cause of intestinal parasitosis followed by E. histolytica/dispar 113 (15.2%). Dwelling in rural area (AOR: 2.9 (95% CI: 1.85-4.85)), being a farmer (AOR: 1.91 (95% CI: 1.20-3.03)), eating raw vegetables (AOR: 1.45, 95% CI:0.09-0.24), lack of proper use of latrine (AOR: 2.89 (95%1.18-7.08)), poor environmental sanitation (AOR: 0.19 (95%: CI:0.08-0.47)), habit of soil eating (AOR: 0.42 (95% CI: 0.25-0.72)), having irrigation practice (AOR: 0.47 (95% CI: 0.29-0.77)), and lack of health education (AOR: 0.32 (95% CI: 0.13-0.77)) were significantly associated with intestinal parasitic infections. Conclusions. Intestinal parasitic infection is a major problem among pregnant women in the study area. High parasitic infection is associated with poor hygienic and sanitation practices. Therefore, awareness creation through health education should be given to pregnancy on intestinal parasitic infection and associated factors.

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among patients attending at Sanja Primary Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: An institutional-based cross-sectional study

“…Lastly, the study stated that participants who were unable to utilize latrines properly were susceptible to be infected by IP. This finding was similar with the previous study conducted in Northwest Ethiopia [ 4 , 7 ]. These results indicate that improper latrines utilization and open defecation practice contaminates the environment and water sources that play a bold role in the transmission of IP.…”

“…Parasitic infections caused by intestinal helminths and protozoan are among the most prevalent infections in developing countries carrying a high burden of morbidity and mortality [ 3 ]. Ascariasis, hookworm infection, amoebiasis and trichuriasis are the most common IPIs in the world [ 4 ].…”

“…The burden of diseases associated with IPI is huge. Approximately, 4.5 billion people are at risk, more than two billion people are affected worldwide, of whom 300 million suffer from associated severe morbidity [ 4 , 5 ]. According to the World Health Organization report, there were 800–1000 million Ascaris lumbricoides , 700–900 million Hookworm infections, 500 million Trichuris trichuria , 200 million Giardia lamblia , and 500 million Entamoeba histolytica/dispar cases globally [ 6 – 9 ].…”

Behavioral factors affecting soil-transmitted helminthiasis among pregnant women attending antenatal care follow-up in Dembia, Ethiopia

“…Being a rural resident was associated with increased odds of developing soil-transmitted helminthiasis infestation. This nding agrees with studies conducted in Mecha district (16), East Wollega, Oromia region (15), and West Gojam zone (20). This might be pregnant women in rural areas who always work on contaminated soil barefoot which is risky to STH infestation.…”

“…Latrine coverage and handwashing with soap in Maytsebri was 50.9% and 22.3% respectively, whereas in the current study the coverage of latrine and handwashing with soap was 75.5% and 41.3% respectively. The current study nding is also lower than the studies result obtained from Bogota, Colombia (41%) (18), Lalo Kile, Oromia region (43.8%) (19), and West Gojjam, Amhara region (37.3%) (20). The reason for this discrepancy might be due to differences in environmental and socioeconomic characteristics of study participants.…”