Typhoid Fever Burden Among Pregnant Women in Gombe Central Zone, Nigeria

Typhoid fever remains a public health concern in endemic settings and may cause serious maternal and fetal complications during pregnancy. Evidence on the burden of typhoid fever among pregnant women and its distribution by maternal age, pregnancy trimester, and gravidity is limited in Gombe Central Zone. This study determined the prevalence of typhoid fever and examined its association with age, trimester, and gravidity among pregnant women in Gombe Central Zone, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study enrolled 600 consenting pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in eight selected health facilities in Akko and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas. Participants were recruited through multistage purposive and consecutive sampling. Serum samples were tested for anti-Salmonella Typhi IgM and IgG antibodies using the Typhidot assay. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 23 using frequencies, percentages, and chi-square tests at p<0.05. Overall Typhidot seropositivity was 21.8% (131/600). The highest prevalence occurred among women aged 16–24 years (24.6%), those in the third trimester (25.4%), and primigravidae (27.7%). However, age, trimester, and gravidity were not significantly associated with typhoid seropositivity (p>0.05). Typhoid seropositivity was common among pregnant women in the study area, but the measured demographic and obstetric characteristics did not significantly explain its occurrence. Antenatal services should strengthen health education on safe water, food hygiene, and sanitation, while improving access to confirmatory diagnosis, timely treatment, and typhoid surveillance.