Prevalence of Group-A Streptococcal Infection Among School Children of Urban Community – A Cross Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT

The most important gram positive cocci is Streptococcus pyogenes causing pyogenic infections, Group A beta hemolytic streptococci are the most frequently isolated pathogen in pharyngitis among school going children. The objective of the study was to find the prevalence of Group A Streptococcal infection among the Government Higher Primary School Children of an urban community.This cross sectional study was conducted in all the seven Government schools of Ramnagar under the catchment of urban health center of Belgaum city, Karnataka with a sample of 300. The findings showed that the prevalence of beta hemolytic was 30.7%. Majority of children belonged to 5-10 years age group and majority belonged to nuclear family. Children having more number of window in their house, cultured less beta hemolytic (p<0.001).It was concluded that although the several risk factors have been identified, there is a need to do an in-depth study for each risk factor and also further epidemiological studies on these aspects are needed to support the findings of our study.