Parasitic infections and anaemia among women of reproductive age in Gabon, Central Africa: A cross-sectional study

Background Helminth and protozoan infections are prevalent in Gabon, yet their epidemiology among women of reproductive age (WRA) has not been described. The objective of the present study is to describe the epidemiological profile of these parasites as well as anemia among these nonpregnant women. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in which helminth, intestinal protozoan, and Plasmodium spp. infections were assessed using microscopy, and hemoglobin was measured using a Pentra ABX60 analyser to evaluate anemia in 208 nonpregnant WRA participants. Results The prevalence of helminth infection was 25% (95%CI: 20–32). Specifically, 4% (95%CI: 2–8) of WRA had filariasis, 14% (95%CI: 10–20) had urogenital schistosomiasis which was of severe intensity in 28% of cases, and 12% (95%CI: 7–17) had soil-transmitted helminth infection with Trichirus trichiura (6%, 95%CI: 3–11) and Ascaris lumbricoides (3%, 95%CI: 1–6) as the main species, with light and moderate intensities in 67% and 60% of cases, respectively. The prevalence of Plasmodium spp. and intestinal protozoa was 8% (95%CI: 4–12) and 23% (95%CI: 18–30), respectively. The main species of intestinal protozoa was Blastocystis hominis (10%, 95%CI: 6–16). The prevalence of anemia was 69% (95%CI: 61–76), predominantly mild (52%) to moderate (38%). No significant associations were found between anaemia and helminth ( p  = 0.78) or protozoan ( p  = 0.47) infections, whereas Hb level was associated with parity ( p  = 0.01) and smoking status ( p  = 0.03). Conclusion Parasitic infections and anemia are prevalent among WRA in Gabon. Although parasitosis was not linked to anemia, these findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies addressing parasitic diseases and anemia in this population.