Schistosomiasis among pregnant women in the Njombe-Penja health district, Littoral region of Cameroon: A cross sectional study

BackgroundSchistosomiasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease with endemic foci in Cameroon. Epidemiological data on schistosomiasis in pregnancy are scarce in the country. This study is about schistosomiasis among pregnant women in the Njombe-Penja health district, where schistosomiasis was reported since 1969.\n\nMethodologyOverall, 282 pregnant women were enrolled upon informed consent at first antenatal consultation. A questionnaire was administered to document socio-economic and obstetric information. Stool and terminal urine samples were collected and analysed using the Kato-Katz/formol-ether concentration techniques and centrifugation method respectively. Haemoglobin concentration was measured with finger prick blood, using a URIT-12(R) electronic haemoglobinometer.\n\nPrincipal findingsThe overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 31.91%. Schistosoma guineensis, S. haematobium and S. mansoni infections were found in 0.35%, 04.96% and 28.01% of participants respectively. Co-infection with 2 species of Schistosoma was found in 04.44% of these women. The prevalence of schistosomiasis was significantly higher in younger women ([≤]20) and among residents of Njombe. All S. haematobium infected women were anemic and infection was associated with significantly lower haemoglobin levels (p=0.02).\n\nConclusionThe prevalence of schistosomiasis is high in pregnant women of the Njombe-Penja health district, with possible adverse pregnancy outcomes. Female of childbearing age should be considered for mass drug administration.\n\nAuthor summaryPregnant women are known to be more vulnerable to infectious diseases and in their case, at least two lives are at risk. Although schistosomiasis remains a major public health issue in Cameroon, epidemiological data on schistosomiasis in pregnancy are scarce. These data are of high interest for informed decision-making. We examined stools and urines from 282 women of the Njombe-Penja Health district and measured their blood levels. Overall, 31.91% of women were infected, mostly younger ones and those living in the town of Njombe. Three species of Schistosoma parasite were identified. Women having urinary schistosomiasis had lower blood levels. These results show that the prevalence of schistosomiasis is high in pregnant women of Njombe. Also, because of the anemia it induces, the disease can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes on the woman and her foetus. Treating female of childbearing age would cure the disease and prevent adverse outcomes.