Co-infection of Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminth among pregnant women in Abaya district, South Ethiopia: A community-based study

Objectives: Co-infection of malaria with helminths poses significant risks, including fetomaternal hemorrhage, fetal growth retardation, spontaneous abortion, and preterm delivery. However, there is a lack of community studies to demonstrate the prevalence of co-infection of helminths with Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 287 randomly selected pregnant women in the Abaya district from September to December 2022. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Blood and stool samples were collected from each pregnant woman and data analysis was performed using SPSS. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated factors. Results: The co-infection prevalence of Plasmodium and STH was 19.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.9224.08%), where STHs were 40.6% (95% CI: 34.9-46.3%) and Plasmodium was 32.4% (95% CI: 27-37.8%). Hookworm and Plasmodium falciparum were the most commonly identified parasite species. Factors significantly associated with co-infection with Plasmodium and STH included the habit of eating soil (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.36-5.34), not using insecticide-treated bed nets (AOR = 3.47, 95% CI: 1.76-6.85), living near stagnant water (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.07-4.64), and rural residence (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.07-5.97). Conclusions: Interventions should prioritize enhancing sanitation, educating pregnant women on the use of insecticide-treated bed nets, avoiding eating soil, and eliminating stagnant water near homes. More research should be conducted on the area using more advanced methods.