Abstract:
Background: Parasitic infections affect tens of millions of pregnant women worldwide, and directly or indirectly
lead to a spectrum of adverse maternal and fetal/placental effects. The objective of this study was to assess the
prevalence of intestinal parasite infections and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal
care center in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar city, northwest Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted from November 2013 to January 2014 among 384
pregnant women. Stool samples were examined for the presence of trophozoites, cysts, oocysts, and ova using
direct, formal-ether sedimentation, and modified Ziehl-Neelsen techniques.
Results: An overall prevalence of 31.5 % intestinal parasite infections was recorded. Eight different species of intestinal
parasites were found: two protozoan and six helminth species. The highest prevalence was due to Giardia lamblia
(13.3 %) followed by Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (7.8 %), hookworm (5.5 %), Ascaris lumbricoides (2.9 %), Schistosoma
mansoni (2.9 %), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.6 %), Taenia spp. (0.8 %), and Hymenolepis nana (0.3 %).
Conclusions: A relatively high prevalence of intestinal parasite infections was observed among pregnant women.
Routine stool examination and provision of health education are required for early medical intervention that would
affect the pregnant mothers and their foetuses.
