PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS AMONG SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN BELOW 12 YEARS OF AGE IN KAMRUP METRO, ASSAM.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitic infections constitute global health problems in various developing countries. They are endemic especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Hot and humid climate, environmental and sociocultural factors enhance parasitic transmission. Children are the prime victims of intestinal parasitism that affects their physical development, school attendance and learning ability. OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed to determine the prevalence of Intestinal parasitic infection among the school going children between 5-12 years of age in certain slum areas of Guwahati city of Kamrup Metro district of Assam. METHODS: A community based cross sectional study carried out between June, 2017 to May, 2018 at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital in the Department of Microbiology. Study group consisted of 170 school going children below 12 years of age. Stool samples collected aseptically were examined macroscopically and microscopically using standard Microbiological methods for presence of Intestinal parasites. RESULTS: Out of 170 school going children, 116 (68.2%) were found positive for Intestinal parasitic infestations. The most predominant Intestinal helminthes were Ascaris lumbricoides (66.4%) follwed by Trichuris trichiura (29.3%), hookworms (5.1%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.9%) and Isospora belli (22.4%). CONCLUSION: The study reveals that the prevalence of Intestinal parasitic infection among school going children below 12 years of age in the slum areas of Assam is very high. Hence, it is utmost necessary to pay more attention to improve the sanitation, personal hygiene and implementation of health education of the parents for prevention of these parasitic infections.