1Research Scholar, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu
2Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere, Karnataka
3Head and Professor, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere, Karnataka
4Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere, Karnataka
Online published on 10 September, 2012.
Worm infestation is one of the major cause of childhood malnutrition, anaemia, physical and mental growth and psycho-social problems. The study aims to compare the prevalence of parasitic infestation and optimization of number of stool samples for screening of parasitic infestation among school children of age 5–12 years at rural areas of Davangere district.
This is a cross-sectional study conducted during the month of June2009 to October 2010. Five stool samples on five consecutive weekends were collected from each of the 474 children. Stools were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites.
Out of the 474 samples, 237 were positive by the end of 5th week stool sample. Nearly 89.9% of the parasites were identified in the first and second stool samples, 92.8% were identified by the 3rd stool sample, 95.4% were identified in the 4th stool sample and virtually all the parasites seen in the study were identified in the fifth stool samples. The prevalence of worm infestation is 50%. Ascaris lumbricoides (18.5%) and Ancylostoma duodenale (16.3%) were most common parasites. Majority of the children who were affected belong to early age groups and girls were more affected than boys.
From this study we conclude that 5th week stool sample detects virtually all the intestinal parasites and this clinically benefits the children compared to the single stool sample used for screening purposes.
Stool samples, Worm infestation, Rural children
