Publication: Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitosis Among School Children in Baglung District of Western Nepal
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Date
2012
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
This study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasites among
school-going children of the Baglung municipality from December 2010 to January
2011.
Objective
To find out prevalence of parasitosis among school aged children and to make necessary
recommendations for preventive measures.
Method
A total of 260 stool samples were collected. A structured questionnaire was used to
collect data on predisposing factors. Nails were observed without prior information to
the subjects so as to find their hygienic practice. The stool samples were examined by
direct wet mount and formal ether concentration technique.
Results
The total prevalence of the intestinal parasitosis was found to be 21.05%. The prevalence
for individual parasites was as follows: Entamoeba histolytica (9.23%), Giardia
lamblia (5.76%), Trichuris trichuria (5%), Ancylostoma duodenale (2.65%) and Ascaris
lumbricoides (2.3%). Nail hygiene and level of education were significantly associated
with intestinal parasitosis. The gender and age of the children, sanitary habits including
toilet use, hand washing practice, and the use of the antihelminthic drug (albendazole)
were not significantly associated with intestinal parasitosis. Higher prevalence was
seen in boys, children belonging to age group 10-14 years, lower secondary students,
among those who reported gastrointestinal problems within last six months, children
from agriculture-based families and children with untrimmed nail.
Conclusion
Major contributors for the prevalence of parasites were found to be poor personal
hygiene and educational level of the children. Health education and mass treatment
are recommended as a preventive measures.
KEY WORDS
Hygiene, parasites, prevalence, school children
Description
Shrestha A,1 KC Narayan,2 Sharma R2
1Department of Microbiology, Tribhuwan University
2Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj Campus, Tribhuwan Univeristy