Abstract:
Intestinal helminths are among the most common and widespread of human infections, contributing to
poor nutritional status, anaemia and impaired growth. Anaemia and iron deficiency in pregnancy is a
major public health problem in developing countries, but their causes are not always known. The
objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of anaemia and iron deficiency and
their association with helminths, among pregnant women in the Ashanti region of Ghana. A cohort
study was carried out in the Sekyere east district of the Ashanti region of Ghana. 108 pregnant women
were followed until 5-10 weeks postpartum, during the period of December 2005 - November 2006.
Haemoglobin and total serum iron concentrations were evaluated in venous blood samples and
helminths infections were evaluated in stool samples in each trimester using standard methods. Of the
108 pregnant women, 54.9% were found to be anaemic. The highest prevalence of anaemia and low iron
stores (57.4 and 32.4%, respectively) were found in the second trimester. Only 17.6% had evidence of
helminths infection, with Necator americanus (hookworm) being the commonest (13.9%). There was a
significant association between hookworm infection and low iron stores. The study concluded that
hookworm infection is a strong predictor of iron status. These findings reinforce the need to provide
anthelminthic therapy to infected women before conception as public health strategy in reducing the
prevalence of hookworm infection in addition to providing nutritional and iron supplements to
effectively control anaemia in pregnancy.
