Malaria-soil transmitted helminthes co-infection and associated factors among pregnant and non-pregnant women in Jimma Arjo district, western Ethiopia

Fekadu Bekele

Institute of Health Science, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia,

Email: [email protected], phone: +251917019180

Accepted 24th July, 2024.

Abstract

Malaria-soil transmitted helminthes co-infection is a major health problem among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Studies suggested that soil transmitted helminthes infections alone could increase the susceptibility of pregnant women to malaria. However, there is limited information on a community-based comparative study among pregnant and non-pregnant women with malaria-soil transmitted helminthes co-infection and associated factors in Jimma Arjo district, East Wallaga Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. To assess the prevalence of malaria-soil transmitted helminthes co-infection and associated factors among pregnant and non-pregnant women in Jimma Arjo District. A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 291 pregnant, and 291 non-pregnant women from September to November 2023 in the study area. Rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy techniques were used for the malaria investigation. Infections of Soil transmitted helminthes and its intensities were determined using the Kato-Katz technique from stool samples. Anemia was determined using a portable spectrophotometer (Hemo Cue Hb 301). The prevalence of malaria-soil transmitted helminthes co-infections among pregnant and non-pregnant women was 6.1% and 3.6%, respectively. The odds of anemia among women infected with malaria-soil transmitted helminthes co-infection were higher compared with non-infected women. Pregnant women were more susceptible to malaria-soil transmitted helminthes co-infection than non-pregnant women.