Intestinal Parasitic Infection among School children in Chitwan district of Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Parasitic infection occur in children of all ages living under poor sanitation, eating unhealthy food and drinking water. Study was conducted from January to June, 2012 at Saktikhor in Chitwan district of Nepal. The aim for this study was to determine prevalence rate of intestinal parasites among children (< or =18 aged) group.

Methods: 296 stool samples were collected in dry, clean and screw capped plastic container. Stool samples were preserved with 10% formalin, transported to Shi-Gan Health Research Laboratory then samples were examined microscopically by formal-ether sedimentation technique.

Results: Overall, Positive rate was 23.3% (69/296). There was no significance difference in two genders boys 21.8% and girls 24.8%, (p=0.39). Positive rate in Tibeto-Burman was highest 23.2% followed by Indo-Aryan 22.1% and Dalit 29.6%, (p=0.80). In drinking water, parasitic infection rate in well water was found higher 29.9% than tap water 21.9%, (p=0.263). Positive rate in no drug (anti-parasitic) user was found higher 32.1% than drug user 16.0%, (p=0.002). Age groups between 0-5 years Children was 26.9% highest in positive rate followed by 6-12 years 25.15% and 13-18 years 15.2%, (p=0.35). Altogether 10 species were identified. Taenia spp was most common found 21.0% followed by Entamoeba coli (17.0%), Giardia lamblia (17.0%), Endolimax nana (13.0%), Ascaris lumbricoides (11.0%) Entamoeba histolytica/ dispar (11.0%), Trichuris trichiura (4.0%), Hymenolepsis nana (3.0%), Blastocystis hominis (3.0%), and Hookworm (1.5%).

Conclusion: Children should focus on improvement of sanitation practice, periodic administration of anti-parasitic drug and safe drinking water.