Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42268915›Full record

SynthesisPLoS neglected tropical diseases2026

Prevalence of hookworm infection and its proportion among pregnant women with intestinal helminth infection in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mengistie Kassahun Tariku, Gezahegn Eshetu Mekuriya, Habtamu Wagnew Abuhay, Lidetu Demoze, Gedefaw Abeje, Mekuriaw Nibret Aweke, Habtamu Abebe Getahun, Samuel Teferi Chanie, Gelila Yitageasu, Gebrie Getu Alemu and 1 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Mengistie Kassahun TarikuDepartment of Public Health, College of Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1114-1277
Gezahegn Eshetu MekuriyaDepartment of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Habtamu Wagnew AbuhayDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Lidetu DemozeDepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Gedefaw AbejeDepartment of Nursing, Debre Tabor Health Science College, Gondar, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
Mekuriaw Nibret AwekeDepartment of Human Nutrition, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Habtamu Abebe GetahunDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Samuel Teferi ChanieDepartment of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Gelila YitageasuDepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Gebrie Getu AlemuDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Asebe HagosDepartment of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHookworms are the most common soil-transmitted helminths in tropical and subtropical regions. Although infection with hookworms is a principal cause of maternal anemia, there is limited consolidated evidence on pooled prevalence and its proportion among intestinal helminths infections in pregnant women in Ethiopia. This study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of infection with hookworms and its proportion among intestinal helminths in pregnant women in Ethiopia.

methodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Articles published between 2010 and 2024 were retrieved from databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and African Journals Online using relevant search terms related to Ethiopia. Data extraction was performed using a standardized Excel spreadsheet after assessing the quality of the studies with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data were analyzed using STATA version 17. A random-effects model using the DerSimonian-Laird method was employed to account for heterogeneity, which was assessed using the I² statistic and the p-value of Cochrane's Q test. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots, Begg's, and Egger's tests. Results were presented using forest plots with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

resultsA total of 33 studies, including 13367 pregnant women were analysed. Among these 4161 women infected with intestinal Helminthiases, including 1853 cases of infection with hookworms. The pooled prevalence of infection with hookworms among pregnant women in Ethiopia was 12.21% (95% CI: 9.46%-14.95%), while the pooled proportion of hookworms among intestinal helminths was 44.0% (95% CI: 33.24%-55.75%). Regionally, prevalence was highest in Amhara (13.11%, 95% CI: 9.17%-17.05%) and the lowest in Gambella (4.44%, 95% CI: 2.32%-6.57%). The proportion was highest in Amhara (67.86%, 95% CI: 57.87%-77.84%) and lowest in Harerge (16.67%, 95% CI: 9.21%-24.12%). By diagnostic method, the concentration technique yielded the highest prevalence (16.11%, 95% CI: 9.31%-22.90%), while combined methods showed the lowest (9.48%, 95% CI: 6.14%-12.83%).

conclusionInfection with hookworms remains a public health concern among pregnant women in Ethiopia (pooled prevalence: 12.21%), accounting for 44.0% of intestinal helminths. Marked regional variation exists, highest in Amhara and lowest in Gambella. Prevalence estimates varied by diagnostic method, with higher values from concentration techniques. Targeted interventions, improved sanitation, deworming, and standardized diagnostics are needed.

Indexed as

HelminthiasisHookworm InfectionsIntestinal Diseases, ParasiticPregnancy Complications, ParasiticAnimalsEthiopiaFemaleHumansPregnancyPrevalence

Identifiers

PMID42268915
PMCPMC13252847

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.