Magnitude of Intestinal Parasite Infection and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Service in Shewarobit Town Health Facilities, North Shoa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

introductionIntestinal parasites are the most common infectious gastrointestinal parasites in developing countries including Ethiopia. Globally, it remains a public health problem by affecting 3.2 billion people, of which 10% were pregnant women. In Sub-Saharan Africa, pregnant women are the risky group next to children for this infection. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of intestinal parasite infection among pregnant women.

methodsFacility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 365 pregnant women attending antenatal care service in Shewarobit town health facilities, North Shoa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Data were collected using an interview questionnaire and laboratory microscopic stool examination from February 1, 2020, to March 30, 2020. Descriptive statistics and multivariable analyses were used to characterize the data and to identify the associated factors with the outcome variable at a p-value <0.05, respectively.

resultsA total of 347 (95.1%) pregnant women participated in this study. The magnitude of intestinal parasite infection was 27.7% during the study period. Among the parasites,

conclusionHigh prevalence of intestinal parasite infection is observed in pregnant women. Personal hygiene practice, health education, and water quality were factors identified as contributors to intestinal parasite infection in pregnant women. Public health measures on water and environmental sanitation, health education for intestinal parasite infection and personal hygiene practices, and early deworming are vital to reduce the intestinal parasites' infection and assure safe pregnancy.