Rivers State's Rural and Urban Parts: Preventing Bacterial Enteric Fever Diseases among Pregnant Women

The preventable disease known as "Bacterial Enteric Fever" is caused by Salmonella paratyphi A&B and Salmonella Typhi (S, Typhi) and is common in West Africa and other low-income regions of the world. This study examined the management and prevention of enteric fever in pregnant women in both rural and urban areas of Rivers State, Nigeria. Enteric fever must be prevented and treated, especially in vulnerable groups such as expecting mothers. Given this, a study was carried out to determine the preventative and control strategies used by pregnant mothers in the rural and urban districts of River State.460 pregnant women (230 from urban and 230 from rural areas) were selected for a cross-sectional study from 24 comprehensive primary health care institutions in Rivers State, Nigeria, using a cluster sample technique. A systematic questionnaire created by the researcher was used to collect the data. Prescriptive and chi square statistics were used for the date analysis, with a significance threshold of 5%. The study found that comparing urban and rural areas, 48.3% of pregnant women in urban areas and 59.4% of those in rural areas had bacterial enteric fever. Hand cleaning before eating (28.7% vs. 30.0%, p = 0…030) and excrement in rivers (36.5% vs. 0%, p= p=<0.1) were also below average. The likelihood that pregnant women between the ages of 32 and 42 will visit herbal doctors (p=0.049) and buy food from street sellers (p-0.021) is higher. Pregnant women with a secondary school diploma were more likely to visit the hospital when unwell (p=0.010). Food purchases from street vendors were more common among unemployed pregnant women (p=0.004). In conclusion, compared to pregnant women in urban regions, those in rural areas are less likely to take precautions against bacterial enteric fever. The implementation of a targeted education program on the prevention of bacterial enteric fever is advocated.