Abstract

Background: Intestinal Parasitic infection is considered as the most common communicable diseases worldwide, with special concern in developing countries due to unhygienic living conditions and unsanitary waste management. This study focus on pregnant women attending regular antenatal care follow up as it may affect the health of both pregnant women and their offspring simultaneously.

Objectives: To assess the magnitude of intestinal parasites and its associated factors among pregnant women who attended antenatal care follow-up in Lalo kile district of public health facilities, Western Ethiopia from April 1 to May 15, 2019.

Methods and Materials: The study was conducted in Lalo Kile District, Kellem Wollega zone. Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to May 15, 2019. Three hundred and fifteen pregnant women who presented for antenatal care follow-up were included in the study by proportionally allocated to all health centers. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Stool sample from each study subject was collected and processed in all health centers by direct wet mount and formal-ether concentration techniques. All data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20 and presented by table, charts and graphs. Both bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression was used to assess associations between dependent and independent variables. P-value less than 0.05 were taken as statistically significant and the strength of association was measured by odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval.

Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 43.8% (138/315) with the predominance of Hookworm (33.7%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (7.3%).Occupation [AOR, (95% CI) =23.5 (1.28, 430.2)], Walking barefooted [AOR, (95% CI) = 6.13 (1.98, 19)] and habit of hand washing after latrine usage [AOR, (95% CI) = 5.36 (1.78, 16)] had significant predictors of intestinal parasitic infection.

Conclusion: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites in the study area was significantly high. Habit of hand washing after latrine and walking bare footed were identified as significant contributors of intestinal parasitic infection. Therefore, public health measures and intensive antenatal care services are vital in reducing the burden of intestinal parasites among pregnant women.