Parasitic infections and maternal anaemia among expectant mothers in the Dangme East District of Ghana

BACKGROUND: Parasitic infections are of public health concern globally, particular among at risk groups such as pregnant women in developing countries. The presence of these parasites during pregnancy potentiate adverse effects to both the mother and the unborn baby. This study sought to establish the prevalence of some parasitic agents among antenatal attendees in the Dangme East District of Ghana. A cross-sectional prospective study was conduct between April and July, 2012. Venous blood specimens were collected from each participant for haemoglobin estimation and malaria microscopy. In addition participants’ early morning mid-stream urine and stool specimens were analyzed microscopically for parasitic agents. RESULTS: A total of 375 pregnant women were involved in the study, of which anaemia was present in 66.4% (249/375). However, parasitic infections associated anaemia prevalence was 49.6% (186/375). In all, 186 cases of parasitic infections were observed; 171 (44.0%) were single isolated infections while 15 (4.0%) were co-infections. Plasmodium species were significantly associated with anaemia (13.3%, χ(2) = 23.290, p < 0.001). Also, the presence of Schistosoma haematobium (3.7%, χ(2) = 7.267, p = 0.008), Schistosoma mansoni (5.3%, χ(2) = 5.414, p = 0.023) and hookworm (3.7%, χ(2) = 11.267, p = 0.008) were significantly associated with anaemia in pregnancy. Except where co-infections exist (3.7%, χ(2) = 11.267, p = 0.001), the rest of the single infections were insignificantly associated with anaemia. Collectively, intestinal helminthes were predominantly significant with anaemia in pregnancy (p = 0.001, χ(2) = 107.800). CONCLUSION: The study revealed relatively high prevalence of parasitic infections among the study population, suggesting that about three-quarters of the anaemic mothers are either single or co-infected with parasitic agents.