ABSTRACT
Background: Helminthic infections have been major publichealth burdens. Some isolated helminths include Ascarislumbricoides, the whipworm Trichuris trichuira, the hookwormAncylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus andStrongyloides stercoralis. The present study was conducted tostudy the effect of socio-economic status, quality of hygiene,nutritional status on helminthic infection among school goingchildren aged between 5 to 13 years.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study on 352children at Govt. Primary school, Rajapur was conducted fromJanuary 2007 to June 2008. Children were interviewed usingpre-tested proformas to identify the risk factors and prevalenceof Helminthic infestation. Stool examination was done by usingthe formal ether concentration technique in microbiologylaboratory at M. R. Medical college. Statistical analysis wasdone by using the percentage, chi-square, SPSS statisticalsoftware.Results: Out of 352 children 162 tested positive for variousintestinal helminth’s in the age group 5 to 13 years. The overallprevalence of Helminthic infestation was 46.02% thepredominant parasites were Ascaris Lumbricoides 48.77%followed by Hymenolepsis Nana 27.16% Ancylostomaduodenale 11.73%, Trichuris Trichiura 9.88% & Enterobiusvermicularis 2.46%. 4.94% cases were of mixed infection. Thepresent study found that Socio-economic class, nutritionalstatus and pallor was significantly associated with prevalenceof Helminthic infestation. Habit of digit sucking or nail bitting,Storage of food and water were not significantly associatedwith Helminthic infestation (p>0.05). The association betweenHand wash before eating food, Status of Nails, practice of openair defecation and hand wash with soap after defecation,footwear use, eating mud or pica, drawing water for drinking,source of water, eating of raw vegetables or fruits, eating offood sold by vendor and prevalence of Helminthic infestationwere found to be significant (P<0.05). The association betweenprevalence of Helminthic Infestation and KAP of children wasalso found to be Significant.Conclusions: In the present study the prevalence ofhelminthic infestation in school children are on the higher sidewhich requires due attention and consideration despitehelminthic control programme in school for all children.
ABSTRACT
Background: Worm infestation is a major Health problem inchildren of developing countries, its effective prevention andcontrol requires identification of local risk factors particularlyamong high risk groups. The present study was conducted tostudy t various factors like age, sex, religion and helminthicinfection among children aged between 5 to 13 years.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study on 352children at Govt. Primary school, Rajapur was conducted fromJanuary 2007 to June 2008. Children were interviewed usingpre-tested proformas to identify the risk factors and prevalenceof Helminthic infestation. Stool examination was done by usingthe formal ether concentration technique in microbiologylaboratory at M. R. Medical College. Statistical analysis wasdone by using the percentage, chi-square, SPSS statisticalsoftware.Results: Out of 352 children 162 tested positive for variousintestinal helminth’s in the age group 5 to 13 years. The overallprevalence of Helminthic infestation was 46.02% thepredominant parasites were Ascaris Lumbricoides 48.77%followed by Hymenolepsis Nana 27.16% Ancylostomaduodenale 11.73%, Trichuris Trichiura 9.88% & Enterobiusvermicularis 2.46%. 4.94% cases were of mixed infection.Helminthic infestation among males was 48.33% and females43.60%. Religion, Sex, Type of family were not significantlyassociated with Helminthic infestation (p>0.05). Theassociation between prevalence of Helminthic Infestation andKAP of children was also found to be Significant.Conclusion: This study concluded that the prevalence ofHelminthic infestation among primary school children were highand need to be addressed.