Vol. 9, Issue 10, Part C (2023)

Background: Soil Transmitted helminths and Schistosomiasis may have implications for pregnancy outcomes especially, in rural communities. In Adidome (A rural community) and Battor (A semi-rural community), soil and water contact activities expose inhabitants to helminth infections. There is, however, limited information on the prevalence and determinants of these infections among pregnant women in these areas. The present study was conducted to access the prevalence, knowledge and perceptions about helminthiasis among pregnant women accessing obstetric care at Adidome Government Hospital and Battor Catholic Hospital in the Volta region of Ghana.

Methodology/Principal Findings: A cross-sectional survey during which 1,295 pregnant women reporting for their first antenatal visit were interviewed for data on sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge about helminth infection transmission, symptoms and prevention. Out of this figure, 616 pregnant women, representing 47.5% willingly provided stool samples for analysis. Questionnaire data were analyzed using STATA and stool specimen were processed by Kato Katz for helminth eggs. Also, gDNA was extracted from aliquots and tested for S. mansoni and N. americanus. Helminth infections and participant knowledge were expressed in proportions. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to show association at p< 0.05 significant level. Intestinal helminth infections found among ANC participants were T. trichiura (0.4%), N. americanus (0.4%) and S. mansoni (0.4%). At delivery, a PCR prevalence of 5% was observed for S. mansoni. A high proportion of study participants, 82.5% in Adidome and 87.1% in Battor do not take dewormers on regular basis. Also, a high proportion of participants did not receive any dewormer prior to sample collection. Although knowledge on helminth transmission, risks and prevention were low, prevalence of helminth infections were also low.

Conclusion/Significance: Intensifying health education as community-based interventions is necessary for the total and effective control and elimination of schistosomiasis and STH in the study area.