Prevalence of hookworm and anemia among women of childbearing age in Quang Nam province in 2021

Abstract

The cross - sectional study was conducted at six communes in Quang Nam province in 2021 among 1980 women of childbearing age, with the primary objective being to describe the prevalence of hookworm and anemia. Stool specimens were collected and processed using Kato - Katz thick smear to determine the rate and the intensity of infection, and blood samples were used to assess hemoglobin level. The results showed that the prevalence of hookworm was 13.9%. The highest rate at 3.3%, and commune with the lowest at 1.4%. The intensity of infection in Quang Nam province was light-intensity (a median egg density of 152.8 eggs/1 gram of feces). Factors associated with hookworm infection include residence OR = 2 (95%CI: 1.5 – 2.6), academic level OR = 3; (95%CI: 2 – 4.6), barefoot in the garden OR = 1.6 (95%CI: 1.2 – 2.2) and source of drinks water OR = 1.9 (95%CI: 1.4 – 2.6). The prevalence of anemia was found to be 25% and was closely related to hookworm infection with |r| = 0.2, p < 0.001. Hence Quang Nam province’s hookworm infection and anemiawere low. Implementing the intervention in mountainous communes, among people working an agriculture and with low education levels, is necessary to reduce the risk of hookworm infection and anemia in the community.