RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitosis, caused by both helminths and protozoans, are among the most prevalent infections, especially in developing countries. Enteric parasites continue to be a major cause of parasitic diseases which is the most common among street and school going children with poor sanitation. This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence and potential risk factors of intestinal parasitosis among school going children of two schools of Saptari district of southern Nepal. Stool samples were collected in a clean, dry, screw-capped, and wide-mouthed plastic container, fixed with 10% formal-saline solution, and transported to the laboratory for further microscopic analysis by following concentration technique. RESULTS: Out of the 285 stool samples analysed, 94 (33%) were positive for the parasitosis. Presence of intestinal parasites was marginally more in rural school (44.6%) than in urban (30%) (P < 0.05). Giardia lamblia was highly prevalent (15.4%) followed by Entamoeba histolytica-like (7.7%), E. coli (7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.8%), and Hymenolepis nana (1.08%), respectively. Children of the age group 11-15 years were highly affected (44.2%) compared to younger age groups. The findings of intestinal parasitosis in the study population were statistically significant with family income, hand-washing habit, type of drinking water, and availability of a toilet facility at home (P < 0.05). Over 85% of infection was associated with parasitosis that indicated mainly waterborne infection rather than soil-borne helminths. CONCLUSIONS: Poor hygiene measures and farming occupation are identified as major risk factors of parasitic infections, so sanitation especially focusing on safe drinking water along with multi intervention strategies must be emphasized in the Saptari district of Nepal to reduce the burden of parasitic diseases in school children.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Diarrheal diseases, including cholera, remain a major public health concern in developing countries like Nepal. This study investigated a diarrheal outbreak that affected over 1500 people in Gaidatar village of Rautahat district in central Nepal and sought to identify the source and causation of the disease. Stool samples were collected from individuals with acute diarrheal illness (n = 16) and healthy non-diarrheal children (n = 39), along with samples from local drinking water sources (n = 8) and their sewage system (n = 10). None of the individuals were sampled multiple times. Diarrheic stool and sewage samples were analysed for the presence of Vibrio cholerae, while coliforms were tested in drinking water samples following standard microbiological protocols. Enteric parasites were tested in both diarrheic and non-diarrheic stool samples. RESULTS: Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa serotype was isolated in 18.7% of the diarrheic stool and 20.0% of the sewage. Coliforms were found in all drinking water samples, with 87.5% testing positive for fecal coliform. Additionally, 43.6% of the stool samples (n = 55) had at least one of the intestinal parasites tested, primarily Giardia lamblia (21.8%). However, almost all parasites were found in non-diarrheal stool. Taken together, our results provide evidence that the diarrheal outbreak was associated with V. cholerae O1 Ogawa serotype, possibly transmitted through the drinking water sources contaminated with fecal matters from their sewage (drainage) system. These findings warrant regular surveillance of drinking water sources to help prevent future outbreaks.
