Prevalence of Typhoid Infection among Pregnant Women Attending Specialist Hospital Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Typhoid fever is one of the major and common health problem worldwide. Typhoid fever caused by Salmonella typhi may be a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in both the mother and fetus in developing countries, where sanitation facilities, personal and food hygiene are inadequate. Thus, the present research was a cross-sectional study of Salmonella infection among pregnant women in Specialist Hospital Yola, Nigeria. The objectives of this study is to determine the prevalence of typhoid infection among pregnant women in Adamawa state in relation to age, educational level, occupation and location, explore factors associated with the infection and to provide information on its prevention and control strategies. Serological analyses (Widal test) and bacteriological analyses (stool culture) were carried out and compared among 313 participants. The results obtained showed that 209 (66.77%) of the participants were seropositive for typhoid fever, whereas 188 (60.06%) were positive based on bacteriological technique. Participants between age groups; 26-35 years old had the highest prevalence of 64.10%.There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between the prevalence of typhoid fever among the various age groups of the pregnant women examined. In relation to Educational level, participants with Non-formal education had the highest prevalence of typhoid infection 75.00%. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between the prevalence of typhoid fever based on the educational level of the pregnant women examined.  Based on occupation of the participants, women who were involved in farming recorded the highest prevalence rate of 88.37%.There was statistically significant difference (P< 0.05) between the prevalence of typhoid fever and the occupation of the pregnant women examined. With respect to the location of the participants, subjects belonging to Semi-urban areas recorded the highest prevalence of 80.98%. There was statistically significant difference (P< 0.05) between the prevalence of typhoid fever and the location of the pregnant women examined. Pregnancy state makes the women more vulnerable to typhoid fever by affecting the physiology of pivotal organs, as such causing complications in pregnant women therefore early and prompt diagnosis of the infection is essential.