Abstract:
This study reports the prevalence of typhoid fever among pregnant women in Niger state. The study was
carried out among pregnant women at the antenatal care unit of nine General Hospitals, in Niger State. Questionnaires were
issued to obtain demographic information. Two milliliters of blood sample was collected from each pregnant woman and
centrifuged at 1,500 rpm for 5 minutes. Widal test was used to detect the antibody titers in sera were in a titre of 1:80 was
considered significant and the result of each patient was recorded. Nine hundred pregnant women were examined from the
three zones of the state, out of which 610 (67.8%) were infected. Prevalence of Salmonella typhi in relation to age group
shows that women between the ages of 35–44 had the highest rate of infection (71.8%). Those within the age groups of
25-34, 15-24 also had a prevalence of 68.1% and 66.7% respectively. The relationship between typhoid fever infection and
age group was statistically significant (P = < 0.05). Prevalence of Salmonella typhi in relation to gestation period shows that
pregnant women in their third trimester had the highest infection rate (71.5%) while those in their first and second trimester
had a prevalence of 66.1%, 65.5% respectively. The relationship between typhoid fever infection and gestation period was
statistically insignificant (P = > 0.05). The highest percentage (69.9%) of significant titre of antibodies to Salmonella was
detected among subjects who utilize borehole water while the least was detected among subjects who utilize tap water.
Well water users recorded a prevalence of 68.5%. There was a significance difference between Salmonella typhi infection
and water supply (P < 0.05). Four hundred and fifty one women (50.0%) were positive to the somatic (O) antigen indicating
acute infection. Typhoid fever is a dangerous infection among pregnant women and is common in Nigeria. Pregnancy
makes the host more vulnerable to typhoid fever. Public awareness, early and prompts diagnosis is of great importance in
curbing the menace of the diseases.
