Publication: Schistosomiasis, soil transmitted helminthiasis, and malaria co-infections among women of reproductive age in rural communities of Kwale County, coastal Kenya
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2022-01-19
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National Research Fund (NRF)
Publisher
BMC Public Health
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Abstract
Background: Schistosoma haematobium, soil transmitted helminthes (STH), and malaria lead to
a double burden in pregnancy that eventually leads to poor immunity, increased susceptibility to
other infections, and poor pregnancy outcomes. Many studies have been carried out on preschool and school aged children but very little has been done among the at risk adult population
including women of reproductive age (WRA). Our current study sought to establish the risk
factors and burden of co-infection with S. haematobium, STH, and Plasmodium sp. among WRA
in Kwale County, Coastal Kenya.
Methods: A total of 534 WRA between the ages of 15–50 were enrolled in this cross-sectional
study from four villages; Bilashaka and Mwaluphamba in Matuga sub-County, and Mwachinga
and Dumbule in Kinango sub-County. Socio-demographic information was collected using a pretested standardized questionnaire. Parasitological examination was done using urine filtration
method for Schistosoma haematobium, Kato Katz for STH (Ascaris lumbricoides,
Hookworm, Trichuris trichiura), and standard slide microscopy for Plasmodium sp. Statistical
analyses were carried out using STATA version 15.1.
Results: The overall prevalence of S. haematobium was 3.8% (95% CI: 2.6–5.4) while that for
malaria was 4.9% (95% CI: 2.0–11.7). The prevalence of STH was 5.6% (95% CI: 2.8–11.3)
with overall prevalence of 5.3% (95% CI: 2.5–10.9) for hookworm and 0.6% (95% CI: 0.2–1.9)
for T. trichiura. The occurrence of co-infection was low and was recorded between S.
haematobium and P. falciparum (0.6%), followed by S. haematobium and STH (0.4%).Among
pregnant women, 2.6% had co-infection with S. haematobium and P. falciparum. Only 1.3% had
co-infection with S. haematobium and hookworm or T. trichiura. Among non-pregnant women,
co-infection with S. haematobium and P. falciparum was 0.2%. Similarly, co-infection with S.
haematobium and hookworm or T. trichiura was 0.2%.Bed net ownership and usage among
pregnant women was 87.8 and 96.6%, respectively. 66.3% of the women reported using
improved water sources for drinking while 78.1% reported using improved sanitation facilities.
Conclusion: The use of improved WASH activities might have contributed to the low
prevalence of STHs and S. haematobium infections. Further, bed net ownership and usage might
have resulted in the low prevalence of Plasmodium sp. infections observed.
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Keywords
: S. Haematobium, STH, Malaria, Co-infections, WRA, Coastal Kenya