Re-infection estimation of soil-transmitted helminths among slum school children in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

ABSTRACT

Prevalence and intensity study of soil-transmitted helminths was carried out in a primary municipal corporation school in Relliveedhi, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. All subjects (n = 217) belonged to low socio-economic status with an age distribution of 7-13 years. Reinfection study was estimated over a nine month period following treatment with albendazole administered at a single oral dose of 400 mg/child. Parasites identified were Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm. Post-treatment prevalence reached pre-intervention level but the intensity of infection remained appreciably low (p < 0.05).