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Published on: August 22, 2012
Intestinal parasitic infection among school age children
N Bhandari1, V Kausaph, G P Neupane
1Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Nepal. neemakusms@yahoo.com
Insights
Intestinal parasite infections are common in school children, affecting 40% in this study. Unhygienic conditions and drinking tap water are linked to high infection rates, necessitating health education and improved sanitation.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- An estimated 25% of the global population is infected with intestinal parasites.
- Intestinal parasites cause significant health issues in school-aged children, including malnutrition and developmental delays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among school-aged children.
- To identify risk factors associated with these infections in the study area.
Main Methods:
- Stool samples were collected from 360 school children.
- Parasitic examination included normal saline wet mount and formalin ether sedimentation techniques.
Main Results:
- A 40% prevalence of intestinal parasites was found, with 60% of infections in females.
- Parasitic infection rates varied among ethnic groups (Newar, Chettri, Brahmin).
- A significant association was observed between parasitic infection and drinking tap water.
Conclusions:
- Intestinal parasitic infections are highly prevalent in the study region.
- Poor living conditions, particularly unhygienic environments and unsafe drinking water, contribute to high infection rates.
- Interventions including health education, provision of safe water, and improved sanitation are crucial.
Background:
World Health Organization estimates one-fourth of world's population harbors one or more intestinal parasites. Intestinal parasites are among the most common infections of school age children causing-nutritional deficiency, chronic dysentery, rectal prolapse, poor weight gains, retarded growth and mental retardation.
Methods:
The stool samples were collected from school going children and examined for intestinal parasite by normal saline wet mount, formalin ether sedimentation technique was performed for the concentration.
Results:
Among 360 school age students, the prevalence of intestinal parasite was found 40%. Among the positive cases of which 60% were female. It was observed that the rate of parasitic infection among positive cases, Newar was 35(36.84%), Chettri 31(32.97%) and Brahmin and others 29(33.72%) respectively. The study detects an association between intestinal parasitic infection and drinking tape water.
Conclusions:
The findings of this study showed that intestinal parasitic infections remain prevalent in the study area. The high prevalence of parasitic infections seems directly related to the unhygienic living conditions. This strongly indicates a need for intervention measures likely-to take up sustained health education, provision of safe drinking water and improvement in environmental sanitation and to provide the school student with health education.
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