Prevalence and risk factors associated with worm infestation in pre-school children (6-23 months) in selected blocks of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, India.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intestinal worm infestation is widely prevalent in developing countries and can result in impaired nutrition and development. AIMS: To estimate prevalence of and risk factors for intestinal geohelminths and other intestinal parasites in children aged 6 to 23 months. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross sectional study in rural India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Proportionate population size sampling method was used to randomly select 15 villages per block. Thereafter, house-to-house survey was done to recruit eligible children and obtain fecal sample for microbiological examination. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Univariate distribution of variables was assessed and comparison between categorical variables and continuous variables was done using a Chi-square test and student's t-test, respectively. Odds ratio was calculated to assess associations. RESULTS: Overall 926 children were recruited and 909 fecal samples examined. Combined prevalence of infestation with intestinal geohelminths treatable by albendazole and other intestinal parasites non-treatable by albendazole was 50.3% (457/909) and 51.6% (469/909), respectively. Exclusive use of hand pump water (OR = 1.79, CI = 1.36-2.35, P CONCLUSION: Since almost half the children are infected with intestinal geohelminths treatable by albendazole, targeted deworming of population in this age group should be considered.