Njoku Ivoke1, Nnenna Ikpor1, Obinna Ivoke2, Felicia Ekeh1, Ngozi Ezenwaji1, Gregory Odo1, Florence Iyaji3, Uwakwe Onoja4, Joseph Eyo1. 1. University of Nigeria, Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology. 2. Jackson State University, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health. 3. Kogi State University, Department of Biological Sciences. 4. University of Nigeria, Department of Home Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Agriculture.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Geophagy is wide spread among pregnant women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess intestinal nematode infections among geophagous pregnant women in Southern Ebonyi State, Nigeria. METHODS: Pregnant women were aged 17-45 years at gestational ages of ≥ 14 to 24 weeks on hospital enrolment were sampled. Data on geophagy was collected using structured questionnaire. Gastrointestinal nematode status of the participants was determined by stool analyses. Soil types ingested were examined for intestinal nematode ova / larvae. RESULTS: The prevalence of geophagy (46.4%) was associated with socio-demographic characteristics. Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm were associated with geophagy while Trichuris trichiura and Strongyloides stercoralis had no association. Prevalence of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and S. stercoralis differed significantly (p<0.05) between geophagous and non-geophagous women. The soil types consumed had eggs / larvae of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. Geophagy is a risk behaviour directly associated with A. lumbricoides, hookworm, T. trichiura, and to a lesser extent S. stercoralis infection among pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Sensitization and mass education of pregnant women on the dangers of geophagy is needed. Furthermore, deworming of pregnant women should be integrated into the healthcare delivery system of the State.
BACKGROUND: Geophagy is wide spread among pregnant women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess intestinal nematode infections among geophagous pregnant women in Southern Ebonyi State, Nigeria. METHODS: Pregnant women were aged 17-45 years at gestational ages of ≥ 14 to 24 weeks on hospital enrolment were sampled. Data on geophagy was collected using structured questionnaire. Gastrointestinal nematode status of the participants was determined by stool analyses. Soil types ingested were examined for intestinal nematode ova / larvae. RESULTS: The prevalence of geophagy (46.4%) was associated with socio-demographic characteristics. Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm were associated with geophagy while Trichuris trichiura and Strongyloides stercoralis had no association. Prevalence of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and S. stercoralis differed significantly (p<0.05) between geophagous and non-geophagous women. The soil types consumed had eggs / larvae of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. Geophagy is a risk behaviour directly associated with A. lumbricoides, hookworm, T. trichiura, and to a lesser extent S. stercoralisinfection among pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Sensitization and mass education of pregnant women on the dangers of geophagy is needed. Furthermore, deworming of pregnant women should be integrated into the healthcare delivery system of the State.
Entities:
Keywords:
Geophagy; gastrointestinal nematode; humid tropics; pregnant women
Authors: S J Rothenberg; M Manalo; J Jiang; F Khan; R Cuellar; S Reyes; M Sanchez; B Reynoso; A Aguilar; M Diaz; S Acosta; M Jauregui; C Johnson Journal: Arch Environ Health Date: 1999 May-Jun
Authors: Alfred I Luoba; P Wenzel Geissler; Benson Estambale; John H Ouma; Pascal Magnussen; Dorkas Alusala; Rosemary Ayah; David Mwaniki; Henrik Friis Journal: Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg Date: 2004-12 Impact factor: 2.184
Authors: Alfred I Luoba; P Wenzel Geissler; Benson Estambale; John H Ouma; Dorcas Alusala; Rosemary Ayah; David Mwaniki; Pascal Magnussen; Henrik Friis Journal: Trop Med Int Health Date: 2005-03 Impact factor: 2.622
Authors: Victor Tunje Jeza; Francis Mutuku; Lydia Kaduka; Charles Mwandawiro; Janet Masaku; Collins Okoyo; Henry Kanyi; Joyce Kamau; Zipporah Ng'ang'a; Jimmy Hussein Kihara Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-01-19 Impact factor: 3.295