Proportion of intestinal parasite infections and associated factors on pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health institutions in Simada district, south Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: an institution based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction:- Intestinal parasitic infections are double burden for pregnant women affecting the health of both pregnant women and their offspring. Most studies were done in Ethiopia about intestinal parasitic infections focus on school children and food handlers even studies done on pregnant women mostly identified only helminths. However, the other intestinal parasitic infections have not been studied so far in the study area. Objective:- To assess the proportion of intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors on pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health institutions Simada, Northwest Ethiopia. Method:-An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in simada district. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 415 study participants from public health institutions in the district. A structured and pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire and stool sample laboratory examination were used to collect data. The bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression model was employed for analysis. Pvalue < 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance. Results: - A total of 403 pregnant women were enrolled in this study with response rate of 97%. The mean (±SD) age of 27.55 (±5.6) years (range 18–44 years). Most of study participant were rural residents 293(72.3%). Intestinal parasitic infection was observed in 102 pregnant women and the overall proportion was 0.25(95 %( CI, 0.21-0.30). Out of which 64 cases (0.16) were caused by protozoan whereas 4 cases (0.009) were caused by helminthes and 32 cases (0.084) were caused by mixed infections. Pregnant women lacking latrine and proper waste disposal were 2.2 and 1.9 times more likely to be infected with intestinal Parasitosis than their counterparts ([AOR, 95% CI, 2.213 (1.259, 3.891)], [AOR, 95% CI,1.851 (1.099, 3.117)] respectively. Conclusion: - The proportion of intestinal parasitic infections was high in the study area where pregnant women were mostly affected by Giardia lamblia and mixed infection. The absence of latrine and appropriate waste disposalwere identified as independent risk factors that significantly increase intestinal parasitic infections in pregnant women.Better toCreate awareness on latrine construction and proper waste disposal for community. Keywords: - Proportion, Intestinal parasitic infection, Pregnant women, Simada district.