1Associate Professor of Pathology, S.S Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre. Davangere
2Professor of Pediatrics, J.J.M. Medical College, Davangere
3Professor and head of Pathology, S.S Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre. Davangere
The present study was conducted to know the prevalence and spectrum of the helminthiasis in this part of the country. Of the 1000 children,whose stool sample was examined, 282 (28.2%) showed the presence of one or the other helminthic infestation. Ascariasis was found in 19.2% of the cases, ankylostomiasis in 3.4%, H.nana in 1.7%, Trichuris trichura in 2% and oxyuriasis in 1.4%. Ascariasis was found to be more common in preschool children (63%). All types of worm infestation showed an inclination towards male sex. Majority of the ascaris and oxyuriasis infestation occurred in the urban population while ankylostoma infestation occurred mainly in rural population. Much can be done by educating the people regarding sanitation, health and to live healthy life with the available limited resources and thus help in bringing down the prevalence of infestations and the miseries produced by them.
