Prevalence and associated factors of and soil transmitted helminth infections among pregnant women in Osun state, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

and soil transmitted helminth (STHs) infection are widespread in sub-Sahara Africa, where co-infection is also common. This study assessed the prevalence of these infections and their risk factors among pregnant women in Osogbo, Nigeria.

METHODS

A total of 200 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic were recruited. was detected using thick and thin film methods, while formol ether concentration method was used for STHs detection. A questionnaire was used to investigate the possible risk factors associated with acquisition of malaria and helminth infections.

RESULTS

The prevalence of , STHs and their co-infection was 29.5%, 12% and 5% respectively. , STHs and + STHs co-infection was significantly higher in primigravidae (52.5% vs 58.3% vs 80%) than in secongravidae (18.6% vs 25.0% vs 20%) and multigravidae (28.8% vs 16.7% vs 0%) (p=0.02). Prevalence associated factors identified for was age (p=0.0001) while gravidity (p=0.02) was identified for + STHs co-infection.

CONCLUSION

High prevalence of and helminth infections was observed among the pregnant women with primigravidae being the most susceptible to co-infection. There is an urgent need to implement an effective malaria and STHs preventive method for this high risk population.