Mengist Hylemariam Mihiretie, Zewdie Olifan, Belew Adugna
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Wollega University, P.O.Box: 395, Nekemte, Ethiopia.
BMC Res Notes. 2017 Sep 5;10(1):440. doi: 10.1186/s13104-017-2770-y.
Ethiopia is a developing country where intestinal helminthic infections are major public health problems. The burden of intestinal parasites, particularly the soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), is often very high in school children and pregnant women. Anemia, associated with STH, is a major factor in women's health, especially during pregnancy; it is an important contributor to maternal mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthic infection and anemia among pregnant women attending ANC in East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in five health centers of East Wollega Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia between November 2015 and January 2016. The health centers were selected randomly and study participants were enrolled consecutively with proportions from all the health centers. Stool and blood specimens were processed using standard operating procedures in accordance with structured questionnaires. Logistic regression models were applied to assess the association between predictors and outcome variables. P values less than 0.05 were taken as significant levels. Results were presented in tables and figures.
A total of 372 pregnant women were enrolled in this study with a median age of 25 years (range 17-40 years). The total prevalence of intestinal helminths was 24.7% (92/372) with the predominance of Hookworm (15.1%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (6.5%). Illiteracy [AOR, 95% CI 2.21 (1.3, 4.8), P = 0.042], absence of latrine [AOR, 95% CI 4.62 (1.7, 8.3), P = 0.013] and regular consumption of raw and/or unwashed fruit [AOR, 95% CI 3.30 (1.2, 6.3), P = 0.011] were significant predictors of intestinal helminthic infection. The overall prevalence of anemia was 17.5% (65/372) where mild anemia accounts for 80% of the total anemia. Anemia was significantly associated with the first trimester of gestation [AOR, 95% CI 2.82 (1.3, 6.2), P = 0.009], previous malaria infection [AOR, 95% CI 2.32 (1.3, 5.3), P = 0.003], failing to take iron supplements regularly [AOR, 95% CI 1.82 (1.1, 4.8), P = 0.022] and infection with intestinal helminths specifically with Hookworm (P = 0.001) and Ascaris lumbricoides (P = 0.022).
The prevalence of intestinal helminths and anemia was significantly high in this study. Different socio-demographic, lifestyle and obstetric factors were identified as significant contributors of intestinal helminthic infection and anemia among pregnant women. Therefore, public health measures and intensive antenatal care services are vital to promoting safe pregnancy.
埃塞俄比亚是一个发展中国家，肠道蠕虫感染是主要的公共卫生问题。肠道寄生虫，尤其是土源性蠕虫（STH），在学龄儿童和孕妇中的负担通常很高。与土源性蠕虫相关的贫血是影响女性健康的主要因素，尤其是在孕期；它是孕产妇死亡的一个重要因素。本研究的目的是确定埃塞俄比亚东沃莱加区接受产前保健的孕妇中肠道蠕虫感染和贫血的患病率。
2015年11月至2016年1月期间，在埃塞俄比亚奥罗米亚地区东沃莱加区的五个卫生中心进行了一项横断面研究。卫生中心是随机选择的，研究参与者按照比例从所有卫生中心连续招募。粪便和血液标本按照结构化问卷使用标准操作程序进行处理。应用逻辑回归模型评估预测因素与结果变量之间的关联。P值小于0.05被视为显著水平。结果以表格和图表形式呈现。
本研究共纳入372名孕妇，中位年龄为25岁（范围17 - 40岁）。肠道蠕虫的总患病率为24.7%（92/372），其中钩虫占主导（15.1%），其次是蛔虫（6.5%）。文盲[AOR，95%CI 2.21（1.3，4.8），P = 0.042]、没有厕所[AOR，95%CI 4.62（1.7，8.3），P = 0.013]以及经常食用生的和/或未清洗的水果[AOR，95%CI 3.30（1.2，6.3），P = 0.011]是肠道蠕虫感染的显著预测因素。贫血的总体患病率为17.5%（65/372），其中轻度贫血占总贫血的80%。贫血与妊娠早期显著相关[AOR，95%CI 2.82（1.3，6.2），P = 0.009]、既往疟疾感染[AOR，95%CI 2.32（1.3，5.3），P = 0.003]、未定期服用铁补充剂[AOR，95%CI 1.82（1.1，4.8），P = 0.022]以及肠道蠕虫感染，特别是钩虫感染（P = 0.001）和蛔虫感染（P = 0.022）有关。
本研究中肠道蠕虫和贫血的患病率显著较高。不同的社会人口统计学、生活方式和产科因素被确定为孕妇肠道蠕虫感染和贫血的重要促成因素。因此，公共卫生措施和强化产前保健服务对于促进安全妊娠至关重要。
