Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Kasoa Polyclinic
Date
2018-12
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Background: Intestinal Parasitic infections affect pregnant women worldwide. Such infections
have life threatening implications on both mother and the developing foetus. Sub-Saharan Africa
harbours the greatest proportion of intestinal parasitic infections due to socioeconomic and
environmental factors. In Kasoa, in Southern Ghana, there is paucity of data on the prevalence
and associated factors for intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant women.
Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections
and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Kasoa Polyclinic.
Methods: A hospital based analytical cross-sectional study using simple random sampling was
carried out among three hundred (300) pregnant women who attended the Kasoa Polyclinic for
antenatal care. Structured questionnaires were administered to the study participants to assess
socio-demographic and possible factors. Stool samples were collected from each pregnant
woman and examined for the presence of intestinal parasites by microscopy using direct wet
mount as well as formol ether sedimentation techniques. Data collected was entered into STATA
version 15.0. Means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages were calculated.
Results: Overall, prevalence of intestinal parasites was 14.3% [95% CI 11-19%]. Prevalence of
the different intestinal parasites studied were; Entamoeba histolytica (5.0%), Ascaris
lumbricoides (4.3%), Giardia lamblia (2.3%), Trichuris trichiura (1.3%), Schistosoma mansoni
(0.3%), Hookworm (0.3%), Hymenolepis nana (0.3%) and Isospora belli (0.3%) were identified.
There was an association between age ≤30 years [AOR= 0.17, 95% CI= 0.06-0.48],
Multigravidae [AOR= 0.43, 95% CI= 0.19-0.97] and 2nd and 3rd trimesters [AOR= 4.73, 95%
CI= 1.36-16.49] and intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant women.
Conclusion: Compared to previous studies in Ghana, the (14.3%) prevalence of intestinal
parasitic infections among pregnant women is relatively low. It however suggests that intestinal
parasitic infection is still a problem. Age, gravidity and parity were the major factors for the
prevalence observed. Routine stool examination and provision of public health education
particularly to risk groups are recommended to prevent infection of pregnant mothers and their
unborn babies
Description
MPH.
Keywords
Intestinal Parasitic Infections, Pregnant Women, Antenatal Care, Kasoa Polyclinic