Abstract / Summary
Abstract Schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminth infections (STH), and malaria remain major public health problems in sub-Saharan Africa, yet data among pregnant women are scarce. This cross-sectional study assessed helminth and malaria infections, anaemia, coinfection patterns, and factors associated with helminth infections among pregnant women in southern Busia County, western Kenya. A total of 209 women presenting for delivery at two rural hospitals between May 2023 and November 2024 were enrolled. Helminth infections were diagnosed using duplicate Kato–Katz thick smears, malaria by light microscopy, and haemoglobin concentration using a portable haemoglobin analyser. Schistosoma mansoni infection was detected in 12.4% of participants, STH infections in 9.6% (hookworm, 7.7%), and malaria in 2.9%. Most helminth infections were of light intensity, coinfections were rare, and no malaria–helminth coinfections were identified. Anaemia affected 64.1% of women. No significant associations were observed between anaemia and parasitic infections, although the small number of infected individuals limited statistical power. Student status was the only factor independently associated with hookworm infection. Schistosomiasis and hookworm transmission persist, whereas malaria prevalence was low. The high prevalence of anaemia despite relatively infrequent parasitic infections suggests an important contribution from non-parasitic determinants. Integrated parasite control and further studies incorporating nutritional, genetic and inflammatory determinants are warranted.