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Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
10:57

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

Intestinal helminths in a population of children from the Kashmir valley, India

S A Wani1, F Ahmad, S A Zargar

  • 1P. G. Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190 006, Jammu and Kashmir State, India. showkat_aish@yahoo.co.in

Journal of Helminthology
|July 3, 2008
PubMed

Insights

High intestinal helminth infections, particularly Ascaris lumbricoides, affect over 71% of children in the Kashmir valley. Risk factors include age, residence, water source, hygiene, and maternal education, necessitating urgent control measures.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Intestinal helminth infections are a significant global health concern, especially in children.
  • Prevalence surveys are crucial for implementing effective control strategies in endemic regions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminth infections in children in the Kashmir valley.
  • To identify associated risk factors contributing to these infections.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 2256 children from rural and urban Kashmir valley.
  • Stool sample analysis using simple smear, zinc sulphate concentration, and Stoll's egg-counting techniques.
  • Statistical analysis to identify risk factors associated with helminth infections.

Main Results:

  • A high prevalence of at least one intestinal helminth infection was observed in 71.18% of children.
  • Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent (68.30%), followed by Trichuris trichiura (27.92%).
  • Infection intensity was predominantly light to moderate for A. lumbricoides and light for T. trichiura.

Conclusions:

  • The Kashmir valley exhibits a high burden of intestinal helminth infections among children.
  • Factors such as age, living environment, water access, sanitation, hygiene, and maternal education are significantly associated with infection.
  • Urgent implementation of targeted control measures is essential to mitigate the prevalence and impact of these infections.

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