Geo-helminth infections: Neglected helminthiases among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Nandi-Hills Sub-County Hospital, Nandi County, Kenya

Abstract

The study investigated prevalence of geo-helminth infection in pregnant women attending antenatal care at Nandi Hills Sub-County Hospital in Nandi County. Stool samples were collected from randomly selected consenting pregnant women to attain a sample size of 300. The samples were processed immediately at the hospital using formal-ether concentration technique and results recorded in terms of either presence or absence of ova. Direct smear egg count was done to quantify worm burden. Capillary blood was obtained by a finger prick for measurement of haemoglobin levels. Participants were requested to fill a questionnaire to obtain information regarding water source, mode of faecal disposal geophagy status and recent chemoprophylaxis. Geohelminth parasites detected were Ascaris lumbricoides (30%), hookworm (15%) and Trichiuris trichiura (1%). There were significant differences in co-infections with A. lumbricoides hookworm (P=0.00) and A. lumbricoides - T. trichiura parasites (P=0.007). Factors that had significant positive association with either A. lumbricoides-hookworm or A. lumbricoides -T. trichiura co-infections were use of piped water, pit latrine, being geophagous and lack of recent chemoprophylaxis.