Prevalence of intestinal worm infestations among school children in Kathmandu, Nepal

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Parasitology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Intestinal worm infestation is a significant childhood health issue in Nepal.
• School-aged children are particularly vulnerable to parasitic infections.
• Understanding prevalence is key to effective control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of intestinal worm infestations in school children.
• To identify common intestinal parasites affecting this age group.
• To analyze prevalence based on age and gender.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 142 healthy students aged 6-16 years.
• Stool sample collection and analysis using the formol-ether concentration technique.
• Data collected from a public high school in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Main Results:

• Overall prevalence of intestinal worm infestation was 17.6%.
• Boys (22.0%) had a higher prevalence than girls (13.5%).
• Prevalence was highest in children aged 6-8 years (21.4%) and decreased with age.
• Trichuris trichiura (32.0%) was the most prevalent parasite, followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (20.0%).
• Mixed parasitic infections were observed in 24.0% of cases.

Conclusions:

• Intestinal worm infestation remains a considerable public health concern among school children in Kathmandu.
• Age is a significant factor, with younger children being more susceptible.
• Targeted deworming programs and health education are crucial for this population.