Prevalence of intestinal parasites among Sarki ethnic group of Pala Rural Municipality, Baglung, Nepal.

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections are among the major public and socioeconomic concerns that have adversely affected the well-being of the poor in developing countries. This research work aimed to inspect the prevalence of gastro-intestinal (GI) among Sarki ethnic group of Pala Rural Municipality, Baglung, Nepal. Total 498 stool samples collected in dry, screw capped clean plastic vails and studied for the presence of parasites using direct smear method as well as by concentration method. Overall parasite positive rate was found to be 31.32% (156/498). The prevalence of single infection was higher than double infection among Sarki ethnic group. There were no significant differences in prevalence of parasites among different age-groups, sexes and villages. Positive rate was considerably higher in females (47.5%; 38/80) compared with males (32.5%; 26/80) (P<0.05). Altogether six genera of parasites were encountered. Of them, Trichuris trichura (53.20%; 264/498) was the most prevalent parasite followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (33.97%; 169/498), Entamoeba coli (4.49%; 22/498), Taenia sp. (3.21%; 16/498), Strongyloides stercoralis (2.56%; 13/498) and Hymenolepis nana (2.56%; 13/498). Remarkable prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was indicated by the present study carried out among Sarki ethnic group of Pala Rural Municipality, Baglung district of Nepal.