Intestinal helminthic infestations among school children of 6-8 years of age in Sohag city

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Sohag city among 6-8 years old school children and its relation to socio-demographic factors, environmental factors, behavioral habits and complaints related to intestinal infestations. A total of 800 children [480 boys and 320 girls] have been randomly selected from ten primary schools belonging to Sohag district [five schools from villages [rural] and another five schools from main city and were enrolled into study. Their ages ranged from 72 months to 96 months with mean age of 77.5 months. Data were collected through questionnaire interview regarding socio-demographic clinical history and environmental conditions. All children have been examined in their schools with special interest to the general condition of the child, state of nutrition, abnormal facial pigmentation, pruritus around anus, vulvo-vaginitis, examination of nails as well as examination of eyes for signs of allergy, cardiac examination and other system examination. Fresh stool samples were prepared from children at their schools and examined microscopically. Blood samples were collected for complete blood count, serum iron and iron binding capacity. Further evaluation was needed in 120 children and included anthropometric measurements, eye examination by ophthalmologist, skin examination by dermatologist, electrocardiography [ECG] and echocardiography Helminthic infestation was found in 512 [64%] out of the 800 children studied. Enterobius [E.] vermicularis was the most common parasite detected in all the 512 cases. Mixed infestations were found in 69 [8.6%] cases. Rural children had a higher percentage of parasitic infestation 341 [42.6%] than children in urban area 171 [21.4%]. Anemia detected in 395 children in the form of mild anemia in 160 [20%], moderate anemia in 151 [18.9%] and severe anemia in 84 [10.5%] according to grading of anemia by WHO classification. Intestinal parasitic infection is an important public health problem in Sohag city. Rural residence, mother education less than primary school, bad hygienic conditions were the significant associations. Health education on personal hygiene to the students and to the parents, especially to mothers is required