PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFESTATION AND ITS ASSOCIATED RISK FACTOR IN RURAL AREAS CHILDREN OF VARANASI DISTRICT, UTTAR PRADESH

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infection is a major cause of morbidity among young children in India, due to low socioeconomic status and poor personal hygiene practices. Intestinal parasitic infestations are majorly challenged by the rural areas school children of Varanasi district. Considering the fact, the current study was conducted among rural areas school children from 06-16 years of age, with an aim to know the prevalence of Intestinal worm infestation. The study was conducted on 246 school children's fecal specimens. The collected specimens were examined with the Saline wet mount and Iodine wet mount method. Out of the total studied subjects, the prevalence of Intestinal worm infestation was found to be 17%. In our study, Protozoan infections are 8% commonly found followed by Helminthic infection (Ascaris lumbricoides 4%, Hookworm 3%, H. nana 2%,) in the study participants. Worm infestation association was found to be statistically signicant and to rule out the status of nutrition and hygiene practices. Anemia is a major health issue in children of growing age in our country which causes high morbidity and mortality rate. Besides this helminthic infection in children is also a common problem due to unhygienic habitat. Hence the policy of iron and folic acid supplementation and the anti-helminthic drug should be administered globally as recommended by WHO may be practically enforced besides health and hygiene education.