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Published on: August 22, 2012
Effects on packed cell volume and parasitic worm load from deworming pupils of a public school in Rivers State,
1Department of Community Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Insights
Deworming school children significantly reduced parasitic worm infections and improved their packed cell volume, indicating better anemia management. Routine deworming is recommended for school health programs.
Area of Science:
- Tropical Medicine
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Millions of school-aged children globally, especially in the tropics, suffer from parasitic worm infections.
- Anemia, a common consequence of worm infestation in children, is measured by packed cell volume.
- Poor hygiene exacerbates parasitic worm prevalence in tropical regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of deworming on packed cell volume and parasitic worm load in primary school pupils.
- To assess the effectiveness of Albendazole in reducing parasitic worm infections.
- To evaluate the correlation between deworming and anemia indicators.
Main Methods:
- A four-month, two-phase quasi-experimental intervention study involving 218 pupils.
- Multi-stage sampling to select study and control groups from a primary school.
- Packed cell volume estimation via centrifuge hematocrit and stool microscopy for parasitic ova; Albendazole administered to the study group.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in parasitic ova prevalence in the study group (53.4% to 11.5%, P=0.00).
- Mean packed cell volume increased in the study group (32.2±3.3% to 33.1±3.0%, P=0.03).
- Control group showed no significant changes in packed cell volume or worm load.
Conclusions:
- Deworming interventions effectively reduce parasitic worm load in school children.
- Routine deworming improves packed cell volume, a key indicator for anemia.
- Integration of deworming into School Health Programmes is recommended for improved child health.
Background:
Parasitic worms infect millions of school age children worldwide and this is even more evident in the tropics where basic personal general hygiene still remains a challenge. One of the consequences of parasitic worm infestation in children is anaemia which is objectively measured by estimating the packed cell volume. This study carried out through four months was to examine the effects, (on packed cell volume and parasitic worm load) of de-worming pupils of a primary school in Rivers State.
Method:
This two-phase quasi-experimental intervention study had 218 pupils (i.e. study and control groups) selected by multi-stage sampling from a primary school. Their packed cell volumes were estimated with centrifuge hematocrit and stool examined for parasitic worms with saline wet prep microscopy. A dose of Albendazole was administered to the study group. The data presented in Microsoft Excel spread sheet, were then analysed using SPSS version 17, T-test and Chi Square respectively.
Results:
The prevalence of ova in the stool of the study group dropped significantly from the pre-intervention 53.4% to a post intervention 11.5% P = 0.00). Also, the mean packed cell volume in the study group increased from 32.2 + 3.3% to 33.1 + 3.0% P = 0.03). The values for the control remained essentially same pre- and post-intervention.
Conclusion:
The de-worming intervention significantly reduced the parasitic worm load and improved the packed cell volume of the pupils. It is recommended that school age children be routinely dewormed as part of the School Health Programme.
