Intestinal parasitic infections in Bassein Township

ABSTRACT

A survey of intestinal parasitic infections was made at Bassein Town and Kozu Village, South-West Division, Burma in April-May, 1967. Out of a total of 393 individuals examined, ranging in age from 5-25 years, 215 were from Bassein Town and 178 individuals from Kozu Village.90.3 percent of all the individuals examined carried one or more parasites. Of the 10 species found, A. lumbricoides was the most prevalent (68.4 percent), with T. trichiura second (51.4 percent). There was no significant difference between the over all prevalence of parasites at Bassein Town and Kozu Village. The prevalence of helminth infections was found to be significantly higher in the urban group, while protozoan infections were significantly more prevalent in the rulal group. Among the helminths, A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections were higher in the urban group, while the hookworm infection was higher in the rural group significantly. Younger age groups have a higher helminth infection rate in Bassein Town as well as in Bassein Township. Polyparasitism was common both in urban and rural groups. The findings of the survey was compared with those of other studies in Burma and discussed.