TY - JOUR
T1 - Malaria, Urogenital Schistosomiasis, and Anaemia in Pregnant Ghanaian Women
AU - Frempong, Naa Adjeley
AU - Ahiabor, Charity
AU - Anyan, William K.
AU - Mama, Atikatou
AU - Kusi, Kwadwo Asamoah
AU - Ofori, Michael F.
AU - Adu, Bright
AU - Debrah, Alex Yaw
AU - Anang, Abraham K.
AU - Ndam, Nicaise T.
AU - Courtin, David
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Naa Adjeley Frempong et al.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Background. Anaemia is common in sub-Saharan Africa, and parasitic infections could worsen its burden during pregnancy. Moreover, women become susceptible to malaria during pregnancy. We investigated Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) and Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) infections and determined their association with anaemia during pregnancy. Methods. A cross-sectional study involving 707 pregnant women attending antenatal care visits (ANC) and 446 at delivery was conducted in Battor and Adidome hospitals. Pregnant women were screened by microscopy and qPCR for P. falciparum and S. haematobium infections. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels were determined, and most participants received intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp) during ANC till delivery. Regression analyses were performed for associations between parasite infection and anaemia. Results. P. falciparum microscopy prevalence at ANC and delivery was 8% and 2%, respectively, and by PCR 24% at ANC and 12% at delivery. Anaemia prevalence at ANC was 52% and 49% at delivery. There was an increased risk of anaemia with P. falciparum infection (aOR=1.92; p=0.04). IPTp (p=0.003) and age (p=0.004) were associated with increased Hb levels at delivery. S. haematobium prevalence by microscopy was 4% at ANC and 2% at delivery. No significant correlation between S. haematobium and Hb levels was observed (coef.=-0.62 g/dl; p=0.07). Conclusion. High anaemia prevalence was observed during pregnancy, and P. falciparum infection was associated with anaemia at ANC. Low S. haematobium prevalence could be attributed to previous praziquantel treatment during mass drug administration. Routine diagnosis and treatment of S. haematobium infections in endemic areas could be initiated to reduce schistosomiasis during pregnancy.
AB - Background. Anaemia is common in sub-Saharan Africa, and parasitic infections could worsen its burden during pregnancy. Moreover, women become susceptible to malaria during pregnancy. We investigated Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) and Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) infections and determined their association with anaemia during pregnancy. Methods. A cross-sectional study involving 707 pregnant women attending antenatal care visits (ANC) and 446 at delivery was conducted in Battor and Adidome hospitals. Pregnant women were screened by microscopy and qPCR for P. falciparum and S. haematobium infections. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels were determined, and most participants received intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp) during ANC till delivery. Regression analyses were performed for associations between parasite infection and anaemia. Results. P. falciparum microscopy prevalence at ANC and delivery was 8% and 2%, respectively, and by PCR 24% at ANC and 12% at delivery. Anaemia prevalence at ANC was 52% and 49% at delivery. There was an increased risk of anaemia with P. falciparum infection (aOR=1.92; p=0.04). IPTp (p=0.003) and age (p=0.004) were associated with increased Hb levels at delivery. S. haematobium prevalence by microscopy was 4% at ANC and 2% at delivery. No significant correlation between S. haematobium and Hb levels was observed (coef.=-0.62 g/dl; p=0.07). Conclusion. High anaemia prevalence was observed during pregnancy, and P. falciparum infection was associated with anaemia at ANC. Low S. haematobium prevalence could be attributed to previous praziquantel treatment during mass drug administration. Routine diagnosis and treatment of S. haematobium infections in endemic areas could be initiated to reduce schistosomiasis during pregnancy.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85174743564&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1155/2023/7500676
DO - 10.1155/2023/7500676
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85174743564
SN - 2090-0023
VL - 2023
JO - Journal of Parasitology Research
JF - Journal of Parasitology Research
M1 - 7500676
ER -