THE PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL HELMINTHIASIS AMONG ANTENATAL BOOKING CLINIC ATTENDEES IN THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA.
Formerly Published in Vol. 5 No. 8 Jan. - Jun., 2020
Keywords:
Prevalence, Helminthiasis, Antenatal Attendees, NigeriaAbstract
Background: Intestinal helminthiasis in pregnancy is a common public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa where high prevalence rates have been reported.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis among antenatal booking clinic attendees in FMC Umuahia, the associated factors, and utilization of the study ndings to suggest preventive measures.
Methodology: Four hundred and thirty nine antenatal booking clinic attendees in FMC Umuahia were interviewed using pretested coded questionnaires. Stool macroscopy and microscopy were done. Data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for SocialSciences (SPSS) version 17. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis among antenatal booking clinic attendees in FMC Umuahia was 23.5%. Ascaris had the highest prevalence rate (17.3%), followed by Trichuris (5.24%), while Hookworm had the lowest (0.91%). The prevalence rate was signicantly higher (P<0.05) in women with low educational status, lack of portable water supply, poor toilet facilities and poorwaste disposal.
Conclusion: The prevalence of 23.5% from this study is high. Health education, good environmental hygiene and toilet facilities, safe water supply, and routine screening and deworming of all pregnant women are highly recommended in order to reduce this highprevalence and the potential materno-fetal complications that intestinal helminthiasis may cause.
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