Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Intestinal Parasitic Infection among Children in Rural Dhule

Intestinal parasitic infection is a serious public health problem throughout world particularly in developing countries. Parasitic infection is a cause of morbidity and mortality in paediatric population in tropical countries. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in children varies in different regions of the world. The consequences of these parasitic infections results in malnutrition, anaemia, cognitive impairment and increased susceptibility to other infections.

to identify the prevalence and risk factors associated with intestinal parasitic infection among children in rural areas around Dhule.

This study incorporated a total of 100 school children ranging in ages from 5 to 10 years who use the vast open surrounding field for defecation.

There were 58 males and 42 females. The prevalence of intestinal parasite was more common in males than in females. Stool examination revealed positive result for parasite in 65 (65%) children. Giardia lamblia being the most common intestinal parasite was present in 22 (33.84%) followed by Entamoeba histolytica in 20 (30.76%), Ascaris lumbricoides in 13 (20%), Ankylostoma dueodenale in 7 (10.7%), Enterobius vermicularis in 2 (3.07%), Hymenolepis nana in 1 (1.53%) cases. The most common clinical presentation was recurrent abdominal discomfort in 28 (43.07%) cases followed by diarrhoea in 25 (38.46%), upper and lower respiratory infections in 8 (12.30%), blood in stool in 7 (10.76%) and vomiting in 6 (9.23%) cases, less common clinical features are pneumonia in 3 (4.61%), Pica in 3 (4.61%), Urticaria in 2 (3.07%) and rectal prolapsed in 2 (3.07%) cases.

The risk factors associated with intestinal parasite were maternal illiteracy, hand washing, purification of drinking water and use of open latrines for defecation