RESUMO
A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and its epidemiological correlates among rural Indian school going children and to find out the effect of hygiene education on personal hygiene of school children at village Karanji (Kaji) in Wardha district of central India. Out of 172, 87 (50.6%) boys and 85 (49.4%) girls were examined. The mean age of the school children was 10.37 +/- 2.71. The prevalence of intestinal parasite infection was 7.56%. The prevalence was significantly high among barefoot children (OR = 8.99; 95% CI: 2.14 - 43.49) followed by those having poor hand washing practices (OR = 4.90; 95% CI: 1.30 - 20.01), not using sanitary latrine (OR = 2.49; 95% CI: 0.6 - 11.91)) and dirty untrimmed nails (OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 0.56 - 7.04). One month after hygiene education, there was significant improvement in the key personal hygiene behavior (p < 0.05). The proportion of children having practice of hand washing with soap after defecation significantly improved. Health education on personal hygiene to the school children was effective for behavior change. A multisectoral control approach and hygiene education will help health authorities in strategy of control programs for intestinal parasites among school going children.
