Behavioral factors affecting soil-transmitted helminthiasis among pregnant women attending antenatal care follow-up in Dembia, Ethiopia

Abstract Background Globally, 2 billion people infected with soil-transmitted helminthiasis, nearly 250 million women live in helminthiasis endemic area. Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected region by soil-transmitted helminths. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis and its determinants among pregnant mothers was not well known in this study area. Therefore, the current study was aimed to determine the prevalence of soil-transmitted infestation and its determinants in the West Dembia district. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study design was used from October to November 2020 in the West Dembia district. A systematic random sampling technique was used to take part 416 pregnant women. Data were collected using a pretested standardized questionnaire and stool sample was collected from each participant. Data were entered into Epi-info version 7 and exported to Stata version 14 for analysis. A crude Odds Ratio (COR) and an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were computed. The goodness of fit for the model was checked using Hosmer and Lemeshow test. Results Of all, 416 pregnant women were examined and 115 (27.6%) of women were positive at least to one of the common soil-transmitted helminthiases. Out of the total cases, Ascaris, Hookworm, and Schistosoma species account for 45(39%), 44(38%), and 24(21%), respectively. Rural dwellers AOR: 1.9, (95% CI: 1.04, 3.67), never using latrine AOR: 3.6, (95% CI: 1.35, 9.74), not using soap for handwashing AOR: 2.7: (95% CI: 1.31, 5.36), eating raw vegetables AOR: 2.4, (95% CI: 1.44, 3.94), the habit of eating soil AOR: 3.4, (95% CI: 1.22, 9.43) were statistically significantly associated with soil-transmitted helminthiasis infestation. Conclusion The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis infestation among pregnant women is high. Rural dwellers, not using a latrine, not using soap for handwashing, eating raw vegetables, and habit of eating soil were predictors to the infestation of soil-transmitted helminthiasis among pregnant women. Therefore, besides strengthening chemotherapy prevention, Antenatal care health promotion activities need to focus on behavioral change.