Original Article
A study of prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated risk factors among the school children of Itahari, Eastern Region of Nepal Ram Bilakshan Sah, Sailesh Bhattarai, Satish Yadav1, Ratna Baral2, Nilambar Jha, Paras Kumar Pokharel Departments of School of Public Health and Community Medicine, 1Pediatrics, 2Microbiology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
ABSTRACT
KEY WORDS
Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infestation is a major public health problem in children of developing countries Because of poor socio‑economic conditions and lack of good hygienic living. The aims of this study were to measure the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestations and to identify risk factors associated with parasitic infestations among the school children of Itahari Municipality. Materials and Methods: The cross‑sectional study was conducted in Grade VI, VII and VIII in Government and private schools of Itahari Municipality. Stratified random sampling method was applied to choose the schools and the study subjects. Semi‑structured questionnaire was administered to the study subjects and microscopic examination of stool was done. The Chi‑square test was used to measure the association of risk factors and parasitic infestation. Results: Overall intestinal parasitic infestation was found to be 31.5%. Around 13% of the study population was found to be infested with helminthes and 18.5% of the study population was protozoa infected. Not using soap after defecation, not wearing sandals, habit of nail biting and thumb sucking were found to be significantly associated with parasitic infection. Conclusions: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestation was found to be high in school children of Itahari. Poor sanitary condition, lack of clean drinking water supply and education is supposed to play an important role in establishing intestinal parasitic infections.
Nepal, parasitic infestation, prevalence, risk factors, school children
relation to the disease.[2] According to the World Health Organization estimate; globally there are 800‑1000 million cases of Ascariasis, 700‑900 million of Hook Worm infection, 500 millions of Trichuriasis, 200 million of Giardiasis and 500 million of Entamoeba histolytica.[3]
INTRODUCTION Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infections world‑wide.[1] Intestinal parasitic infection varies considerably from place to place in Address for correspondence Dr. Ram Bilakshan Sah, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. E‑mail: [email protected]
Intestinal helminth infestations are the most common infestations among school age children and they tend to occur in high intensity in this age group.[4] Helminthic infestation lead to nutritional deficiency and impaired physical developments, which will have negative consequences on cognitive function and learning ability.[5]
Access this article online Quick Response Code:
Website: www.tropicalparasitology.org
Infections due to intestinal parasites are common throughout the tropics, posing serious public health problems in developing countries.[6,7] In many parts of the world the high prevalence rate of intestinal parasite
DOI: 10.4103/2229-5070.122143 Jul 2013 | Volume 3 | Issue 2 |
140
Tropical Parasitology
Sah, et al.: Prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated risk factors among the school children
is attributed largely to low socio‑economic status, poor sanitation, inadequate medical care and absence of safe drinking water supplies.[6,7] Therefore, this study was designed to measure the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestation and to identify risk factors associated with parasitic infestation among the school children of Itahari Municipality. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The cross‑sectional study was conducted from 15th November 2011 to 14th March 2012 in Grade VI, VII and VIII in Government and private schools of Itahari Municipality. Stratified random sampling method was applied to choose the schools and the study subjects. Out of total 47 schools in Itahari Municipality, seven were Government (15%) and 40 were private schools (85%). To represent children for atleast 66.2% intestinal parasitic infection, the sample size was calculated as 200 based on the prevalence of 66.2%, 95% confidence level and 10% allowable error. The required sample size is 200 children aged 12‑15 years (Agbolade et al. in 2007). Out of 200, 15% (30) were taken from Government schools and 85% (170) were taken from private schools on the basis of probability proportionate to sample size. Study subjects were enrolled until the required sample size was fulfilled. Written permission was taken from each schools head and verbal consent was taken from each student. Students of Grade VI, VII and VIII of both sexes, who were available after three visits and willing to give verbal consents, were included in the study. Semi‑structured questionnaire was administered to the study subjects and microscopic examination of stool was done. In each visit more than 20 students were enrolled and the same number of plastic bottles was given for stool collection and collected the next day morning. Microscopic examination of stool was done by preparing slide using Normal Saline and Lugol’s Iodine to observe the ova of different parasites. First we used low power lens and afterward the high power lens. Then we observed ova, cyst of parasites.[8] The Chi‑square test was used to measure the association of risk factors and parasitic infestation. The confidence level was set at 5% in which probability of occurrence by chance will be significant if P
A study of prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated risk factors among the school children of Itahari, Eastern Region of Nepal Ram Bilakshan Sah, Sailesh Bhattarai, Satish Yadav1, Ratna Baral2, Nilambar Jha, Paras Kumar Pokharel Departments of School of Public Health and Community Medicine, 1Pediatrics, 2Microbiology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
ABSTRACT
KEY WORDS
Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infestation is a major public health problem in children of developing countries Because of poor socio‑economic conditions and lack of good hygienic living. The aims of this study were to measure the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestations and to identify risk factors associated with parasitic infestations among the school children of Itahari Municipality. Materials and Methods: The cross‑sectional study was conducted in Grade VI, VII and VIII in Government and private schools of Itahari Municipality. Stratified random sampling method was applied to choose the schools and the study subjects. Semi‑structured questionnaire was administered to the study subjects and microscopic examination of stool was done. The Chi‑square test was used to measure the association of risk factors and parasitic infestation. Results: Overall intestinal parasitic infestation was found to be 31.5%. Around 13% of the study population was found to be infested with helminthes and 18.5% of the study population was protozoa infected. Not using soap after defecation, not wearing sandals, habit of nail biting and thumb sucking were found to be significantly associated with parasitic infection. Conclusions: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestation was found to be high in school children of Itahari. Poor sanitary condition, lack of clean drinking water supply and education is supposed to play an important role in establishing intestinal parasitic infections.
Nepal, parasitic infestation, prevalence, risk factors, school children
relation to the disease.[2] According to the World Health Organization estimate; globally there are 800‑1000 million cases of Ascariasis, 700‑900 million of Hook Worm infection, 500 millions of Trichuriasis, 200 million of Giardiasis and 500 million of Entamoeba histolytica.[3]
INTRODUCTION Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infections world‑wide.[1] Intestinal parasitic infection varies considerably from place to place in Address for correspondence Dr. Ram Bilakshan Sah, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. E‑mail: [email protected]
Intestinal helminth infestations are the most common infestations among school age children and they tend to occur in high intensity in this age group.[4] Helminthic infestation lead to nutritional deficiency and impaired physical developments, which will have negative consequences on cognitive function and learning ability.[5]
Access this article online Quick Response Code:
Website: www.tropicalparasitology.org
Infections due to intestinal parasites are common throughout the tropics, posing serious public health problems in developing countries.[6,7] In many parts of the world the high prevalence rate of intestinal parasite
DOI: 10.4103/2229-5070.122143 Jul 2013 | Volume 3 | Issue 2 |
140
Tropical Parasitology
Sah, et al.: Prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated risk factors among the school children
is attributed largely to low socio‑economic status, poor sanitation, inadequate medical care and absence of safe drinking water supplies.[6,7] Therefore, this study was designed to measure the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestation and to identify risk factors associated with parasitic infestation among the school children of Itahari Municipality. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The cross‑sectional study was conducted from 15th November 2011 to 14th March 2012 in Grade VI, VII and VIII in Government and private schools of Itahari Municipality. Stratified random sampling method was applied to choose the schools and the study subjects. Out of total 47 schools in Itahari Municipality, seven were Government (15%) and 40 were private schools (85%). To represent children for atleast 66.2% intestinal parasitic infection, the sample size was calculated as 200 based on the prevalence of 66.2%, 95% confidence level and 10% allowable error. The required sample size is 200 children aged 12‑15 years (Agbolade et al. in 2007). Out of 200, 15% (30) were taken from Government schools and 85% (170) were taken from private schools on the basis of probability proportionate to sample size. Study subjects were enrolled until the required sample size was fulfilled. Written permission was taken from each schools head and verbal consent was taken from each student. Students of Grade VI, VII and VIII of both sexes, who were available after three visits and willing to give verbal consents, were included in the study. Semi‑structured questionnaire was administered to the study subjects and microscopic examination of stool was done. In each visit more than 20 students were enrolled and the same number of plastic bottles was given for stool collection and collected the next day morning. Microscopic examination of stool was done by preparing slide using Normal Saline and Lugol’s Iodine to observe the ova of different parasites. First we used low power lens and afterward the high power lens. Then we observed ova, cyst of parasites.[8] The Chi‑square test was used to measure the association of risk factors and parasitic infestation. The confidence level was set at 5% in which probability of occurrence by chance will be significant if P
