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A direct relationship exists between the intensity of hookworm infection and blood loss. Other parasites may also contribute to blood loss. Our objective was to assess the relationship between the intensity of soil-transmitted helminth infections and anemia in pregnant women in a highly endemic area of Peru. Recruitment occurred between April and November 2003. Overall, 47.31% of 1,042 women had anemia (hemoglobin < 11 g/dL), 47.22% were infected with hookworm and 82.25% with Trichuris. Prevalences of infections were not associated with anemia. However, those infected with moderate and heavy intensities of hookworm infection (OR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.06, 3.17) and those with moderate and heavy intensities of both hookworm and Trichuris infections (OR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.10, 4.13) were more likely to suffer from anemia than women having no or light intensities. These results support routine anthelminthic treatment within prenatal care programs in highly endemic areas.
Received March 18, 2005. Accepted for publication May 19, 2005.
Acknowledgments: This study would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our research and administrative team in Iquitos, especially Obst. Carmen Nunez Rengifo, our local coordinator. We are grateful for the support of the DISA (Direccion de la Salud)-Loreto throughout the duration of this study. We also salute the personnel of the prenatal programs in the health centers attended by our study population who welcomed and assisted members of our research team enthusiastically and without any expectation of payment. We also express our deep gratitude to all the women who participated in our study, especially those who traveled great distances to attend our clinics. Finally, we acknowledge the statistical advice provided by Dr. Elham Rahme and Mr. Youssef Toubouti.
Financial support: This study was supported by a Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) operating grant no. MCT-53575 to Theresa W. Gyorkos.
* Address correspondence to Theresa W. Gyorkos, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Livingston Hall, Room L10-420, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1A4. E-mail: theresa.gyorkos{at}mcgill.ca.
Authors’ addresses: Renee Larocque and Theresa W. Gyorkos, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Livingston Hall, Room L10-420, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1A4, Telephone: 514-934-1934 ext 44721 or 44729, Fax: 514-934-8293, E-mail: renee.larocque{at}mail.mcgill.ca, theresa.gyorkos{at}mcgill.ca. Eduardo Gotuzzo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Honorio Delgado ave. 430, Urb. Ingeneria, San Martin de Porres, Peru, Telephone: 511-482-3903, Fax: 511-482-3404. Martin Casapia, Asociacion Civil Selva Amazonica, Urb. Jardin No. 27, Iquitos-Loreto, Peru, Telephone: 51-65-23-6277, Fax: 51-65-22-1827.
Reprint requests: Theresa W. Gyorkos, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1A4. E-mail: theresa.gyorkos{at}mcgill.ca.
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