Intestinal parasitic infection-intensity, prevalence and associated risk factors, a study in the general population from the Uttarakhand hills

Swapna Kotian,Neelam Sharma,Deepak Juyal,Munesh Sharma

doi:10.4103/2230-8598.144119

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasitic infection is an important public health problem in developing countries. Low socioeconomic conditions, lack of access to potable drinking water, poor personal hygiene and environmental sanitation are the factors associated with intestinal parasitic infection. Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and identify the associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: Study was performed on 327 stool specimens of all age groups from August 2012 to May 2013. Specimen collected and examined with direct wet mount, formal ether sedimentation and salt flotation methods. Results: Out of the total 327 participants prevalence of intestinal infections was 11.62%. Among the Protozoa, Giardia lamblia (3.06%) was the most common, followed by Entamoeba histolytica (0.92%). Hookworm (2.75%) and Hymenolepis nana (2.14%) were the most common helminthes found. Parasitosis was seen more in female (17.07%) than male (8.33%) and highest between 51 and 60 years (22.22%) age group with risk factors like open defecation (22.69%), untreated river water (17.91%) and among people living in rural areas (15.17%). Conclusion: There is a need to create awareness about safe drinking water, personal hygiene and environmental sanitation and to take urgent remedial steps to prevent and control intestinal parasitic infections.

Highlights

Intestinal parasitic infection is endemic worldwide, and it represents a large and serious medical health problem in the developing countries with high prevalence rate in many regions
In India, the overall prevalence rate ranges from 12.5% to 66% with the prevalence rate for individual parasite varying from region to region.[9,10,11,12]
Human parasitic infection is a global problem of enormous proportion with wide variation in intestinal parasite from region to region; different geographic areas, communities and ethnic groups even seasonal variation are known.[7]

Summary

Introduction

Intestinal parasitic infection is endemic worldwide, and it represents a large and serious medical health problem in the developing countries with high prevalence rate in many regions. It is estimated that 3.5 billion people are affected, and 450 million are ill as a result of these infections, the majority being children. These infections cause morbidity and mortality along with other manifestations like iron deficiency anemia, growth retardation in children and other physical and health problems.[1] Helminthic infection is related to protein energy malnutrition, low pregnancy weight and intra uterine weight gain. In India, the overall prevalence rate ranges from 12.5% to 66% with the prevalence rate for individual parasite varying from region to region.[9,10,11,12]

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