title: Malaria, intestinal helminths and other risk factors for stillbirth in Ghana.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to assess Plasmodium/intestinal helminth infection in pregnancy and other risk factors for stillbirth in Ghana.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study of women presenting for delivery in two hospitals was conducted during November-December 2006. Data collected included sociodemographic information, medical and obstetric histories, and anthropometric measures. Laboratory investigations for the presence of Plasmodium falciparum and intestinal helminths, and tests for hemoglobin levels were also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The stillbirth rate was relatively high in this population (5%). Most of the stillbirths were fresh and 24% were macerated. When compared to women with no malaria, women with malaria had increased risk of stillbirth (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.2-9.3). Other factors associated with stillbirth were severe anemia, low serum folate concentration, past induced abortion, and history of stillbirth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fact that most of the stillbirths were fresh suggests that higher quality intrapartum care could reduce stillbirth rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA.
authors.forename: Nelly J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Yatich
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Funkhouser
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ehiri
authors.forename: Tsiri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Agbenyega
authors.forename: Jonathan K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Stiles
authors.forename: Julian C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rayner
authors.forename: Archer
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turpin
authors.forename: William O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Jonathan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Evans
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Afriyie-Gwayu
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Pauline E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Jolly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology*