Prevalence of Intestinal Parasite among School Children of Bharatpokhari V.D.C., Kaski, Nepal.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of the intestinal parasitic infection among school children and the factors associated with it. Study Design: Cross Sectional Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted among school children in Bhulbhula Intermediate School, Janjyoti Primary School and Sukla Primary School of Bharatpokhari VDC, Kaski, western region of Nepal during December, 2012 to Feburary, 2013. Materials and Methods: A total of 163 faecal samples were collected. Samples were investigated under standard WHO guidelines for identification of parasites. Samples were analysed microscopically. Results: Out of the 163 children screened, the overall parasitic infection rate was found to be 18(11%). There was no statistically significant association between sex (p=0.935), schools (p=0.570) or age group (p=0.327) and the infection status. On the whole, Entamoeba histolytica (E.h) had the prevalence of 61.0% followed by Trichuris trichuria (TT) 22.0% and Hook worm, Ascaris/Giardia, Trichuris trichuria/Entamoeba histolytica 6.0% each. Conclusion: Results of this study indicates a low prevalence of intestinal parasite among school children in Bharatpokhari VDC, kaski, Western region of Nepal.

Seroprevalence of HIV and hepatitis C co-infection among blood donors in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

We assessed the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in different categories of blood donors and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection rate. A total of 33,255 blood samples were screened for HIV using a third generation ELISA test at the Central Blood Transfusion Service, Nepal Red Cross Society, Kathmandu from December 2006 to September 2007. The seroprevalence of HIV was 0.19% (95% CI= 0.15-0.25) and co-infection with HCV was found in 10.8% (95% CI= 4.4-20.9). There were no significant differences in HIV seroprevalence among the different categories of age, sex, type of donation and time of donation. The study revealed a relatively lower seroprevalence of HIV among blood donors in Kathmandu Valley than reported earlier but a higher HCV co-infection rate. The similar seroprevalence between first time and repeat donors suggests the need for more improved donor education and counselling.