Prevalence Rate of Cryptosporidium Parasite among Pregnant Women in Medical Military Hospital-Khartoum State

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence rate of Cryptosporidium in pregnant women in Medical Military Hospital-Khartoum State. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the period between May-December 2016. The study was conducted on 150 stool samples collected from all the study subjects. The age ranged between 16-45 years old. The mean age was 26±6 years old. Stool samples were taken from all subjects included in the study, in addition to the clinical and parasitological data were obtained and recorded. The results showed that prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among pregnant women was 23(15.3%) when using Modified Ziehl-Neelsen (M-ZN) stain for deposit obtained by Formal-ether concentration technique (F.E.C.T) while 1 sample (0.66%) was detected by using stained direct smear. The results demonstrated that the prevalence of infection was higher (10%) in the age group 21-29 years. Also the prevalence rate of Cryptosporidium was high (8.0%) in the third trimester according to different gestational age, while in first and second trimester,the prevalence was 2.7% and 4.6% respectively. The results were showed that prevalence of cryptosporidiosis according to drinking water source was (14.1%) from tap water while from other sources was 33.3%. The difference in rates was found to be statistically insignificant with p value=0.122. The study revealed that the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis according to diarrheal sign was 22.6% with p value=0.039. The study indicated that the prevalence rate of Cryptosporidium among pregnant women was higher (15.3%).