Intestinal Parasitic infections and Demographic status of school children in Bhopal region of Central India

Abstract

Background: School going children of age 6-12 years are the prime victims of intestinal parasitic infections. There is scant information available on the prevalence and distribution of intestinal parasites among school children in Bhopal region of Central India. Aim: To study, (a) prevalence and types of intestinal parasites in school children (b) Demographic status and sanitary habits of school children. Materials and Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted in 300 rural and 300 urban school children of age 6-12 years. Data collected from their parents on demographic factors and behavioral habits. As consent was obtained only from rural school, stool samples of rural school children were examined for parasites by saline and iodine wet mount. Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 40.7%. Giardia intestinalis was the commonest protozoa found (43.44%). Among helminths, Ascaris lumbricoides was predominantly detected (9.84%). Literacy rate of head of family was 85% and 1.67% in rural and urban school children respectively. 49.33% used cloth filter and 41.66% used plain water for drinking in rural area while 15% used cloth filter and 34.66% used plain water for drinking in urban area. 7.33% of children from rural area and 3.0% children from urban area used open field for defecation. Dirty untrimmed nails were found in 86.23% of rural and 28.66% of urban school children. Conclusion: Burden of parasitic infections and poor sanitation are still important public health problems in school children of our region. Creating awareness about health, improving sanitation level and promotion of de-worming could reduce intestinal parasitic infestation.