KNOWLEDGE REGARDING PREVENTION OF HELMINTHIC DISEASE AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN

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Introduction: Helminthic diseases are worldwide in distribution infection is most common and most serious in poor countries. The distribution of these diseases is determined by climate, hygiene, diet, and exposure to vectors. he most serious helminthic diseases are acquired in poor tropical and subtropical areas, but some also occur in the developed world other, less serious, infections are worldwide in distribution. Exposure to infection is influenced by climate, hygiene, food preferences, and contact with vectors. Many potential infections are eliminated by host defenses others become established and may persist for prolonged periods, even years. Although infections are often asymptomatic, severe pathology can occur. Because worms are large and often migrate through the body, they can damage the hosts tissues directly by their activity or metabolism. Damage also occurs indirectly as a result of host defense mechanisms. Almost all organ systems can be affected. Methodology: In this descriptive study, 100 school children from selected schools of district Una in the age group of 14-17 years were selected as the samples for the study by using total stratified sampling technique. The data was collected by using self structured knowledge questionnaire on preventive measures of helminthic disease . Data analysis was performed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. SPSS-17 software was used and P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Result: The findings shows that the majority of children had fair level of knowledge (54%), 24% children had poor level of knowledge, 20% children had good level of knowledge and 2% children had excellent level of knowledge regarding preventive measures of helminthic diseases. Discussion: The result shows that out of 100 school children, only 2% of the school children had excellent level of knowledge, 20% of school children had good level of knowledge, 54% of the school children had fair level of knowledge and 24% of the school children had poor level of the knowledge regarding preventive measures of helminthic diseases which was calculated at 0.05 level of significance.