Prevalence of intestinal parasites in pregnant women

Abstract

Parasitic infections affect tens of millions of pregnant women worldwide, and directly or indirectly lead to a spectrum of adverse maternal and fetal/placental effects. To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in pregnant women and its association with various factors. Stool specimens were collected from pregnant women in a clean, wide mouth, leak-proof screw capped container. Formol ether Concentration technique was performed to increase the yield of the eggs and larvae. Modified Acid Fast staining was done for opportunistic parasitic infections. Out of the 300 pregnant women screened for presence of intestinal parasites, the prevalence of intestinal parasites was 42.67%. Protozoa (88.65%) were predominant than the helminths (11.34%). The prevalence of intestinal parasites was more in the second and the third trimester as compared to the first trimester. Primigravida women had greater positivity of intestinal parasites than the multigravida. Out of 220 anemic females, 115 (52.27%) had presence of intestinal parasites showing an association between anemia and intestinal parasites. Intestinal parasitosis showed a significant correlation with eosinophilia. Two independently collected stool specimens for routine stool examination should be sufficient to ensure adequate diagnostic sensitivity. Routine screening of stool samples for intestinal parasites, especially in anemic, malnourished and women with eosinophilia should be considered as a part of the routine antenatal care. Considering the fact that sanitation and hygiene is suboptimal in most parts of the country, there should be a strong emphasis on the recommendations in the national guidelines regarding deworming in pregnancy.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Risk Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Prenatal Care in the Northwestern Ethiopia

“…Our study revealed the highest rates of IPIs among primigravida women (41.6%) followed by those who were bigravidae (31.1%) and multigravidae (29.4%). This is in concordance with the findings of Adedojo et al [ 35 ] in Nigeria and Paranjpe et al [ 36 ] in India. It was also shown that the odds of being infected by IPIs were increased by about 2 times among primigravida women than those who were pregnant for multiple times.…”

Burden of intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among pregnant women in East Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The pooled prevalence of intestinal parasites among pregnant women in this systematic review and metaanalysis was 38.54 (28.77, 48.32). This is similar to findings of the studies conducted in India (42.67%) [25], Ghana (30.5%) [26], Ibadan Nigeria (43.4%) [27], Colombia (41%) [28], Southeast Nigeria (32.4%) [29], Tribhuvan University teaching hospital, Nepal (35%) [8], Ram Janaki Hospital, Janakpurdham, Nepal (42%) [30], and Cameroon (47.1%) [31]. The pooled prevalence in this study is lower than studies conducted in the Caribbean (66.2%) [32], Venezuela (73.9%) [33], Thai Burmese border, Southeast Asia (70%) [34], Guinea (81%) [35], Sub-Saharan Africa (66%) [36] and Indonesia (67.7%) [37].…”

“…Pregnant women who have no latrine were 2.94 times more likely to have intestinal parasites compared to women who have a latrine. This is in line with studies conducted in a tertiary multispecialty teaching hospital in Mumbai, India [25], Kasoa Polyclinic, Ghana, in which pregnant women who shared a toilet facility had 2.78-fold greater odds of intestinal parasite infections compared to those who owned a toilet facility [38], and Abeokuta, Nigeria [39]. This may be because, in the absence of latrine, there is open defecation, which can contaminate food and water that pregnant women consume, and finally, predispose them to intestinal parasites.…”

“…Pregnant women who come from rural areas were 3.75 times more likely to have intestinal parasites compared to women from Urban. This is consistent with studies conducted in a tertiary multispecialty teaching hospital in Mumbai, India [25] and a systematic review and metaanalysis conducted on the global prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors in pregnant women [7]. This may be because, pregnant women who reside in rural areas are uneducated, less knowledgeable about the risk and preventive mechanisms of intestinal parasites, practice poor personal hygiene, use contaminated water, and mostly walk barefoot.…”

“…In this review, the pooled estimate effect revealed that there is an association between eating raw fruits/vegetables and intestinal parasite infection among pregnant women. This finding is supported by a study conducted in India in which eating raw fruits/vegetables is a risk factor for intestinal parasites during pregnancy [25]. This is because eating raw fruits and vegetables is closely associated with helminthic diseases due to the high probability of the presence of infective parasitic ova in fruits/vegetables, which can predispose pregnant women to infection with intestinal parasites.…”