ABSTRACT
Background: Highest intensity of soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH) is seen among school age children. The objective of this study is to find out the prevalence and factors associated with STH infection among school age children of 5-14 years in a rural area of Coimbatore district.Methods: After getting ethical clearance, five of the fourteen villages of Vedapatti were selected by cluster sampling method. Totally 819 participated in the survey conducted between November 2015-July 2016 in the field practice area. Consent from parents and assent from child were obtained. Structured questionnaire was used to collect information. Totally 610 gave one adequate stool sample. Early morning samples were collected and transported to the laboratory within four hours. Formal ether concentration method was performed and examination was done. Data analysis was done with SPSS-19 software. Prevalence is expressed in percentage with 95% confidence interval (CI). Univariate and Multivariate analysis were performed. Strength of association was expressed in terms of odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: The prevalence of STH was 7.70% (95% CI: 5.58- 9.82). Ascaris lumbricoides was highly prevalent 6.9% (4.89% to 8.91%) followed by hook worm 0.2(0.15% to 0.55%) and Trichuris trichura 0.7%(0.04% to 1.36%). Uni variate and Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that pucca houses offered protection against STH.Conclusions: STH is still a public health problem in Coimbatore. When regular deworming is accompanied by appropriate sanitation and hygiene activities designed to prevent re infection of STH, a long-term impact can be achieved.
ABSTRACT
Background: Globally, malnutrition among school age children is a major public health concern. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of under nutrition (thinness and stunting) among children aged 6 to 14 years in a rural area of Coimbatore district; to determine the socio-demographic factors influencing under nutrition (thinness and stunting) among these children.Methods: A community based- cross sectional study was conducted from December 2015 to July 2016 in the field practice area of PSG Rural Health Training Center Vedapatti. Out of the 14 villages in this area, five villages (clusters) were selected by cluster sampling. Data was collected from 702 children aged 6 to 14 years in these five villages using a structured questionnaire. Z score was used to calculate nutritional status. Thinness is defined as the BMI for age (BAZ) <-2SD.Stunting is defined as the Height-for-age (HAZ) <-2SD.The association of Thinness with socio-demographic factors were studied by univariate analysis. The association of Stunting with socio-demographic factors were studied by univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis.Results: The prevalence of Thinness was 15.5% (95%CI: 12.82% to 18.18%) and that of stunting was 18.8% (95%CI: 15.91% to 21.69%). In univariate analysis there was no statistically significant association between thinness and socio-demographic factors. Stunting showed statistically significant association with educational status (illiteracy) of mothers and working mothers in logistic regression analysis.Conclusions: The current study revealed that undernutrition as indicated by thinness and stunting was prevalent to some extent among these children. Stunting was significantly higher among those children whose mothers were illiterate and working. Health education and encouraging working mothers will help to solve this.