Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in cases of diarrhoea among school children attending a tertiary care hospital: a two year study

Abstract

Background: Globally every year 1.7 billion cases of diarrhoea are registered as per the WHO report 2017. Intestinal parasitic infections [IPI] are one of the top ten major public health problems in developing countries with an estimated prevalence of 30-60% in developing countries compared to 3% in developed countries. School age children are the common vulnerable group with the highest prevalence and infection intensities. The objective of the present study is to study the prevalence of parasitic infections in school children as a causative factor for diarrhoea and associated risk factors involved with relation to their hygiene and socio demographic characters.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted for a period of two years from January 2015 to December 2016 and stool specimens from the children aged 5-18 years suffering from diarrhoea were screened for parasitic infections following standard guidelines and as per the ethical committee guidelines. The socio demographic characters, risk factors and hygienic characters of the cases were noted from the parents or guardians or children in a separate predesigned questionnaire sheet. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 13 and P value<0.05 was considered significant.Results: T The prevalence of parasitic infections in the Present study was 22.95% and males were more common. 8-11 years was the most common age group and mean age was 11.6±1.8 years. Statistically significant association was found with hand washing before meals, socio economic status, and method of hand washing after defecation. Entamoeba histolytica was the major parasitic pathogen followed by Ascaris lumbricoides. Other parasites were Giardia lamblia, Ancylostoma duodenale, Cryptosporidium, Isospora, Enterobius and Trichuris trichura. Conclusions: There is lack of awareness regarding dog bite and its management among the rural population.

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors among children attending a tertiary care hospital

“…Similar results have been reported by Bisht et al (2011);Tenali et al (2018). This may be due to poor personal hygiene and literacy rates prevailing in rural areas.…”

“…A high percentage of these illiterate mothers are likely to be ignorant about proper hygienic practices. Tenali et al (2018) also reported a higher prevalence of parasitic infections among children of uneducated mothers. Mothers should be provided information on the transmission of IPIs and adoption of preventive measures in order to be actively involved to reduce infections among their children.…”

“…A study in Gaziabad reported prevalence of E. histolytica to be highest (20.3%) followed by G. intestinalis (14.8%), A. lumbricoides and H. nana (6.2%) each (Bisht et al, 2011). Tenali et al (2018) reported E. histolytica (31.7%) followed by A. lumbricoides (22.5%), A. duodenale (19.9%) and G. intestinalis (12.1%). T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides are STHs associated with practices of open defecation, poor personal sanitation, lack of footwear wearing habit and poor socio-economic status.…”

<p>More Than Half Prevalence of Protozoan Parasitic Infections Among Diarrheic Outpatients in Eastern Tigrai, Ethiopia, 2019; A Cross-Sectional Study</p>

“…This is supported by the studies conducted elsewhere that wash their hands before meal is a significant prevention of protozoan infection. [49][50][51] this might be due to the direct possibility of acquiring of these protozoan parasitic infections.…”

“…This is consistent with the studies. [49][50][51][54][55][56][57] This might be due to contaminated hands and fingers can serve as a carrier for the transmission of intestinal parasitic infections. 50,56,[58][59][60] Conclusions Findings of the present study showed that the study area was heavily infected with protozoan infections, implying that they are continued major public health problems.…”