Knowledge of Intestinal Parasitic Infection and Anemia among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Ogun State

Abstract

A study was conducted at General Hospital Ijebu Igbo antenatal section to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and anemia in pregnant women. A questionnaire was administered to 42 pregnant women who attended the antenatal section of the clinic during the study period. Out of these 42 pregnant women, 18 (42.9%) provided both fecal and blood samples for parasitological and hematological analysis. 50% of the respondents fall within 16-25years age group, while those within 36-45years have the lowest percentage (22.2%). 50% have the knowledge of the helminth infection, out of the 9(50%) that have the knowledge, only 7(77.8%) have the knowledge of how the infection is being transmitted. Of 18 respondents, 13(72%) have the knowledge of anemia, and 5(28%) of them had no prior knowledge of it. The parasitological analysis revealed three intestinal parasite which are Ascaris lumbricoides (22.2%), Enterobius vermicularis (11.11%) and Entamoeba histolytica (5.56%). There were no reported cases of severe anaemic condition in this hospital based study. This suggests that the awareness level of anemia and parasitic infection is moderately high. Therefore, screening for intestinal parasites and deworming of infected pregnant women should be included in antenatal care.