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Epidemiology of parasitic co‐infections during pregnancy in Lambaréné, Gabon
Author(s) -
Adegnika Ayôla A.,
Ramharter Michael,
Agnandji Selidji T.,
Ateba Ngoa Ulysse,
Issifou Saadou,
Yazdanbahksh Maria,
Kremsner Peter G.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2010.02598.x
Subject(s) - pregnancy , ascaris lumbricoides , epidemiology , malaria , odds ratio , ascaris , plasmodium falciparum , incidence (geometry) , medicine , helminths , obstetrics , schistosoma haematobium , biology , gynecology , immunology , schistosomiasis , genetics , physics , optics
Summary Objectives To evaluate the epidemiologic data of parasitic infections and co‐infections in pregnant women in Lambaréné, Gabon. Methods In Lambaréné, Gabon – a region of high endemicity for Plasmodium falciparum and helminths – we conducted a longitudinal survey of malaria and helminth infections during pregnancy. Results Of 388 pregnant women included in the study, 98 (25%) experienced at least one episode of P. falciparum infection (incidence of 2.6 infections per year of pregnancy). One hundred and seventy pregnant women (49%) were infected with intestinal helminths, and 41 (12%) harboured Shistosoma haematobium . In total, 230 (65%) pregnant women carried at least one parasitic infection are 74 (22%) harboured at least two or more parasite species. Ascaris lumbricoides and primiparity were independently associated with Plasmodium infection during pregnancy [odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) 2.4, (1.4–3.8); 2.1, (1.3–3.5), respectively]. Conclusion This study shows a high burden of parasitic infections with substantial degree of parasitic co‐infections in pregnant women in a Central African region. This may have implications for immunological studies and operational research involving pregnant women.