Intestinal Worm Infestation and Anaemia in Pregnant Women

Severe Anaemia during pregnancy is an important contributor to maternal mortality, as well as to the low birth weight which is in turn an important risk factor for infant mortality. We aim to determine the prevalence of anaemia in the region amongst pregnant women and identify their problems and to easily provide them with the clinical services.

A community based cross sectional study done in PHCRC Chapagaun, Lalitpur from July 17,2011 to September 17,2011. Date from pregnant women presenting at PHCRC, , were filled and analysed using standard guidelines from WHO and Indian council of Medical research.

Out of 192 pregnant women, the average age of pregnancy was 21-25 years (46.55), mean haemoglobin (Hb) in pregnancy was 11g/dl. Majority pregnant women are Newar (35.4%) ethnicity,67.7% of them housewives and 31.5% have primary level education. Only 24% was found to have their haemoglobin level in anaemic range. Among the pregnant women (n) =192; 48 (25%) had worm infestation, 119 (62%) had negative stool report and 25 (13%) had other than worms were found. Only about one third of the sample has actually taken albendazole.

Aanaemia is prevalent in pregnant women of PHCRC, chapagaun and there was a significant correlation between anaemia and worm infestation. However, the relation among the haemoglobin level, iron, folic acid and albendazole was not significant.