Coinfection withSchistosoma haematobiumandPlasmodium falciparumand Anaemia Severity among Pregnant Women in Munyenge, Mount Cameroon Area: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Background. Malaria and urogenital schistosomiasis are coendemic in Mount Cameroon Area. This study investigated the prevalence ofS. haematobium,P. falciparum,and coinfections and their effect on anaemia in pregnancy.Methods. Pregnant women reporting for antenatal care (ANC) clinic visit in Munyenge were enrolled.S. haematobiumandP. falciparuminfections were determined by urine filtration and microscopy, respectively. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels were measured using haemoglobinometer. Of 250 women, 46.8%, 39.2%, and 15.2% hadS. haematobium,P. falciparum,and coinfections, respectively. Schistosomes infection was higher in younger women (≤25 years) and those who bathe in and had domestic contact with stream compared with older age (>25 years) women and those who had only domestic contact with stream. Lower infection rate was associated with less water contact (≤2 times/day) compared with more water contact (>2 times/day). Compared with no sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) usage, malaria parasitaemia was less among women who used SP. Stream usage increased risk of coinfection while less water contact and SP usage decreased its risk. All coinfected cases were anaemic and coinfection accounted for 93.8% of severe anaemia.Conclusion. Coinfection contributes to anaemia severity. Less water contact and SP usage will reduce coinfection in pregnancy in Munyenge.
Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea 63, Cameroon.
Judith K
0000-0002-6309-090X
JK
Anchang-Kimbi
Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea 63, Cameroon.
Dillys Mansoh
DM
Elad
Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea 63, Cameroon.
Gemain Taiwe
GT
Sotoing
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea 63, Cameroon.
Eric Akum
0000-0001-5587-6243
EA
Achidi