1Associate Professor, Govt. College of Nursing, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
2Emeritus Scientist, Govt. College of Nursing, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
3Associate Professor, Department of Statistics, SAT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Online published on 4 July, 2016.
Intestinal parasitic infections are still a serious public health problem in the world, particularly in developing countries. These infections are the result of interrelated social, economic, cultural, historical and political factors. Control strategies involving improved drinking water supplies, excreta disposal, sewage management, sanitation and education have been related with reduced prevalence of intestinal parasitism. Recently, concurrent programmes of nutrition, immunization, family planning and deworming have been shown to effectively promote health by influencing the knowledge, perceptions, and behaviour of mothers towards intestinal parasitic infections in countries like Thailand, Guatemala, Uganda and Egypt. In Vietnam a nationwide estimation on round worm infection is about 60 million people, whipworm is approximately 40 million and hookworm infection is also about 40 million.
1. To estimate the prevalence of Helminthic infestation among school children
To estimate the prevalence of anemia among school children
To find out the association between helminthic infestation and anemia among school children.
353 students studying in upper primary schools were selected for the study by multistage cluster sampling. Their haemoglobin level and microscopic examination of stool for helminthes were done.
In the present study 44.2% of children had helminthes infestation and 45.6% of children were anemic. Statistically significant association was found between helminthic infestation and anemia.
School is important for cognitive, creative and social development of the child. It is advisable to deworm children regularly as prevention is better than cure.
Helminthic infestation, Anemia, school children
