Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Kasoa Polyclinic

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.