Prevalence of, and knowledge about intestinal helminths among pregnant women at Adidome and Battor district Hospitals

Abstract

Background Soil Transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis may have implications for pregnancy outcomes especially, in rural communities. In Adidome (a rural community) and Battor (a semi-rural community), soil and water contact activities expose inhabitants to helminth infections. There is, however, limited information on the prevalence and determinants among pregnant women in these areas. The present study was conducted to access the prevalence, knowledge and perceptions about helminthiasis among pregnant women accessing obstetric care at Adidome Government Hospital and Battor Catholic Hospital in the Volta region of Ghana. Methodology/Principal Findings A cross-sectional survey was conducted by recruiting 1,295 pregnant women out of which only 616 representing 47.5% provided stool samples for analysis. Sociodemographic characteristics and participant knowledge on helminth infection transmission, symptoms and prevention were collected by questionnaire and analyzed using STATA. Preserved stool specimen were processed and examined for helminth eggs by Kato Katz, and genomic DNA extracted from aliquots, was tested for S. mansoni and N. americanus. Prevalence of helminths and participant knowledge were expressed in proportions. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test were used to show association at P < 0.05 significant level. Intestinal helminth infections found among participants at ANC were T. trichiura (0.4%), N. americanus (0.4%) and S. mansoni (0.4%). At delivery, a PCR prevalence of 5% was observed for S. mansoni. A high proportion of study participants, 82.5% in Adidome and 87.1% in Battor do not take dewormers on regular basis. Also, a high proportion of participants did not receive any dewormer prior to sample collection. Although knowledge on helminth transmission, risks and prevention were low, levels of prevalence of infection with helminths were also low. Conclusion/Significance Intensifying health education as community-based interventions is necessary for the total and effective control and elimination of schistosomiasis and STH in the study area.