Intestinal helminth infestations among pre-school children.

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015 to determine the prevalence of helminth infestations among pre-school children in North Okkalapa Township. A total of 121 apparently healthy children (52 boys and 69 girls) attending the pre-school in North Okkalapa Township were recruited in this study. Stool specimens were collected and examined according to WHO guidelines. Out of 121 pre-school children only 7.44% (95% CI 3.46 - 13.65) of them had intestinal helminthic infection. The types of intestinal helminths identifi ed were Ascaris lumbricoides 4.13%, Trichuris trichiura 2.48 % and Taenia species 0.83 %. The study showed that prevalence of helminthiasis among pre-school children is low. This could be the result of an effective de-worming programme. However, similar studies are needed to be conducted in different parts of the country to see if similar results are also seen.