’FREQUENCY OF WORM INFESTATION AMONG PREGNANT FEMALES PRESENTING WITH ANEMIA TO DOCTORS TRUST TEACHING HOSPITAL SARGODHA

Background: Anemia is major contributor to maternal deaths as well as to low birth weight in developing countries. Association of anemia with helminthic infestation has been seen in the world and by eliminating it, anemia may be reduced with positive effects on maternal outcome. Methods: A cross sectional study done in Doctors trust teaching hospital Sargodha from 1st August 2019 to 31st July 2020 and total 130 patients were enrolled. Hemoglobin estimation and stool examination for parasitic infestation was done for all these women. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire and was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. Results: From 130 patients, it was observed that the minimum age was 18 years and maximum age was 40 years with mean and standard deviation of the age was 29.86 ± 6.61 years. Mild anemia was observed in 45.4% patients, moderate anemia was observed in 26.9% patients and severe anemia was observed in 27.7% patients. The frequency of worm infestation was found as 17.7% in pregnant females presenting with anemia to a tertiary care hospital. Effect modifiers have significant influence except age and monthly income. Significant association was found between BMI and presence of worm infestation having p-value = 0.005.