ABSTRACT
Infestations due to intestinal helminthes are common throughout the tropics, posing serious public health problem in developing countries. The prevalence and risk factors associated in intestinal helminthiasis were studied. It was a cross sectional coproparasitologic study conducted during the month of Jun - July 2003 in District Bagh [Azad Kashmir]. Place selected was two hospitals, DHQ Hospital, Bagh and THQ Hospital, Kahoota. 140 patients with abdominal complaints were selected. Their stool samples were examined microscopically using direct smear, formol ether concentration and Zinc Sulphate flotation techniques. Isolates with positive result for intestinal helminthes were labeled as cases and isolates with negative result were selected as controls. Results revealed 21.7% prevalence of infestation with highest incidence of Ascaris lumbricoides [51.72 %] and zero incidence of hook worms. Hymenolepis nana was the second commonest helminthe [27.59 %]. Entrobius vermicularis [13.79 %], trichuris trichura [3.45 %] and taenia sagineta were recorded [3.45%]. It was revealed that age group of 5 - 15 years, poor socio-economic status, large family size, low educational level and poor environmental sanitation are the major contributory factors. Gender seems to play no role. Level of prevalence can be reduced by children targetted treatment programmes and school based deworning programmes