Intestinal Parasitic Infections In Schoolchildren Research Articles

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Schoolchildren of Kapan VDC, Kathmandu

The present study investigated the intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren of Kapan VDC, Kathmandu, Nepal. A total of 330 schoolchildren were included in this study. Stool samples collected in clean, dry, screw-capped plastic containers were examined by formal-ether sedimentation technique. A total of 134 samples (40.6%) were positive for some kind of intestinal parasites. The percentage of monoparasitism (67.9%) were higher than multiparasitism (32.1%). Giardia lamblia (17.8%) and Trichuris trichiura (3.6%) were the commonest protozoa and helminthes respectively. Girls were marginally more infected (41.4%) than boys (39.8%) (p>0.05). Children <5 years were more infected (80.0%) than 5-10 years (36.0%) (p=0.001). Prevalence of parasitic infection rate was higher in family size >5 (41.5%) than ≤5 (40.1%) (p=0.82). In ethnic wise distribution, incidence rate of parasites was higher in Dalits (71.4%) and the least in Indo-Aryans (33.1%) (p<0.05). Children drinking water from groundwater source had marginally lower prevalence rate (31.3%) than who used tap water (58.4%) (p<0.001). The higher infection rate (51.3%) was observed in children belonging to labour family and the least in the business family (33.3%) (p=0.032). The children who had taken anti-parasitic drug within past 6 months had lower prevalence rate (25%) than those who had not taken drugs (44.4%) (p=0.005).
 Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 7(1): 22-26

PIH4 - The Traditional Ethnobotanical Knowledge Applied in Parasitology in the Andean Cordillera of Ecuador

To identify the ancestral therapeutic measures applied to intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren of the rural parish of San Juan, in the province of Chimborazo, Ecuador. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in 125 schoolchildren, aged 5 to 12 years, belonging to the EVANES project. To determine the educational level and ethnicity of the mothers, the type of antiparasitic used and the frequency of children medical check-up, a survey was applied. The statistical treatment of data was performed with the SPSS program, version 20.0. This study complies with the ethical considerations of the Helsinki declaration and has the approval of the Bioethics Committee of the San Francisco University of Quito. 90.4% of the respondents were described themselves as indigenous. 74.4% of the mothers have only completed primary education and 12.8% had no studies. 24.0% of the children had no medical examination, while 21.6% visited a specialist in paediatrics each year. The use of natural antiparasitic corresponded to 45.6%, being higher in the indigenous population than in the mestizos (85.96% vs 14.04%, p = 0.036). No differences were found according to the educational level of parents. Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) was the most used plant, either alone or combined with other herbs (p <0.001). Most the population is indigenous, determining an eminent use of natural medicine. A high use of chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), as intestinal antiparasitic, was identified.

Intestinal parasitic infections: Current prevalence and risk factors among schoolchildren in capital area of the Republic of Marshall Islands

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) among schoolchildren in Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) largely remains unknown, thus investigation on IPIs status to establish the baseline data is urgently needed. This cross-sectional study intended to investigate the current IPIs status and associated risk factors among schoolchildren at capital of RMI. Single stool sample from 400 schoolchildren (207 boys and 193 girls) aged 9.73±2.50 yrs old was examined by employing merthiolate-iodine-formaldehyde concentration method. Demographic characteristics, uncomfortable symptoms and risk factors were obtained by questionnaires investigation. The overall prevalence of IPIs in schoolchildren was 22.8% (91/400), of them 24.2% harbored at least 2 different parasites. Notably, the majority was infected by waterborne protozoan parasites (82.4%, 75/91). Nine different intestinal parasites have been identified, of which six were pathogenic including Hook worm, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Giardia intestinalis and Blastocystis hominis. Schoolchildren who ever complained dizziness or headache showed a significant higher prevalence of pathogenic IPIs than those who did not (p<0.05). Schoolchildren who lived in urban area than rural area had higher chance to acquire pathogenic IPIs (p=0.03). However, none of risk factors were identified to be associated with pathogenic IPIs.

Intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren in different settings of Côte d’Ivoire: effect of diagnostic approach and implications for control

BackgroundSocial-ecological systems govern parasitic infections in humans. Within the frame of assessing the accuracy of a rapid diagnostic test for Schistosoma mansoni in Côte d’Ivoire, three different endemicity settings had to be identified and schoolchildren’s intestinal parasitic infection profiles were characterized.MethodsIn September 2010, a rapid screening was conducted in 11 schools in the Azaguié district, south Côte d’Ivoire. In each school, 25 children were examined for S. mansoni and S. haematobium. Based on predefined schistosome endemicity levels, three settings were selected, where schoolchildren aged 8–12 years were asked to provide three stool and three urine samples for an in-depth appraisal of parasitic infections. Triplicate Kato-Katz thick smears were prepared from each stool sample for S. mansoni and soil-transmitted helminth diagnosis, whereas urine samples were subjected to a filtration method for S. haematobium diagnosis. Additionally, a formol-ether concentration method was used on one stool sample for the diagnosis of helminths and intestinal protozoa. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to analyse associations between schoolchildren’s parasitic infections, age, sex and study setting.ResultsThe prevalences of S. mansoni and S. haematobium infections in the initial screening ranged from nil to 88% and from nil to 56%, respectively. The rapid screening in the three selected areas revealed prevalences of S. mansoni of 16%, 33% and 78%. Based on a more rigorous diagnostic approach, the respective prevalences increased to 33%, 53% and 92% S. haematobium prevalences were 0.8%, 4% and 65% (rapid screening results: 0.0%, 0.0% and 54%). Prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma spp., soil-transmitted helminths and intestinal protozoan infections showed setting-specific patterns. Infections with two or more species concurrently were most common in the rural setting (84%), followed by the peri-urban (28%) and urban setting (18%).ConclusionsMore sensitive diagnostic tools or rigorous sampling approaches are needed to select endemicity settings with high fidelity. The observed small-scale heterogeneity of helminths and intestinal protozoan infections has important implications for control.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Risk Factors among Schoolchildren in Srinagar City, Kashmir, India

Surveys on the prevalence of various intestinal parasitic infections in different geographic regions is a prerequisite for developing appropriate control strategies. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren enrolled in various schools in Srinagar City, Kashmir, India, and to assess epidemiological factors associated with the extent of endemic disease. Stool samples were collected from 514 students enrolled in 4 middle schools. The samples were processed with the use of both simple smear and zinc sulphate concentration methods, and then microscopically examined for intestinal parasites. Of the 514 students surveyed, 46.7% had 1, or more, parasites. Prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was highest (28.4%), followed by Giardia lamblia (7.2%), Trichuris trichiura (4.9%), and Taenia saginata (3.7%). Conditions most frequently associated with infection included the water source, defecation site, personal hygiene, and the extent of maternal education. The study shows a relatively high prevalence of intestinal parasites and suggests an imperative for the implementation of control measures.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among school children in a rural area close to the southeast of Lake Langano, Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Epidemiological information on the prevalence of various intestinal parasitic infections in different regions/localities is a prerequisite to develop appropriate control strategies. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren found in a rural area close to the southeast of Lake Langano. Methods: In April 2003, fresh stool samples were collected from 259 students enrolled in two primary schools located in southeast of Lake Langano. The samples were processed using both Kato and formol-ether concentration methods and then microscopically examined for intestinal parasitic infections. A finger prick blood sample was also collected and haematocrit determined for each individual. Results: Of the 259 students surveyed for intestinal parasites, 217(83.8%) had one or more parasites. Prevalence of hookworm was the highest (60.2%), followed by Schistosoma mansoni (21.2%), Trichuris trichuria (14.7%), Taenia spp. (13.9%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (12.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (6.2%), Giardia duodenalis (6.2%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (5.8%), in that order. An association was not found between hookworm infection and low haematocrit value of the study subjects. Conclusion: The occurrence of various intestinal parasitic infections and high prevalence of hookworm infection among schoolchildren in southeast of Lake Langano calls for institution of intervention measures. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2004;18(2)116-120]

Comparison of Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Schoolchildren in Kuala Limpur

A comparative study was carried out to identify the prevalence of intestinalparasitic infestation among students in 3 different types of primary school1ocaled inAmpang area, Kuala Lumpur. A survey of infection rate was done from April 10 June2001. Stool samples were randomly collected from one'hundred and elevenschoolchildren aged 9-12 years were examined for intestinal parasites, using a lightmicroscope (or direct smear and after concentration for formol.-either method. It wasfound that an overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infection of schoolchildren was51%. The infection rate of males and females was (60.3''1) and (29.20/0) respectively.Prevalence seems to be higher in the younger age groups. Also, the usual intestinalparasites were found more commonly in local and foreign schools than internationalschooL The local school had the highest prevalence (62%1), followed by the foreignschool (52%) and international school (38.90/0). The prevalence in the international schoolwas much lower compared to the local and foreign schools.

Intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren of Abha (Asir), Saudi Arabia

Stool specimens from 1282 children between the age of 5 and 13 years attending 10 primary schools for boys in the city of Abha, southwestern Saudi Arabia, were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites. Of these, 313, (24.4%) were found infected with one or more species of 11 intestinal protozoa and helminths. The most common pathogenic protozoa being Giardia lamblia (10.9%) followed by Entamoeba histolytica (4.1%). The nonpathogenic protozoan, Entamoeba coli had the highest prevalence rate (11.3%) in the children's stools. Hymenolepis nana was the commonest intestinal helminth (3.0%). Other intestinal helminths, including Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Schistosoma mansoni, Dicrocoelium dendriticum were detected to a lesser extent. The distribution of the common intestinal infections among the children surveyed were also analysed according to age, nationality and multiplicity of infection. Prevalence of E. histolytica was found to increase with age whereas Giardia infections were less common among older children. This pair of parasite species were strongly associated. Yemeni children had consistently the highest prevalence of infection with protozoa and helminths, followed by Saudi and non-Saudi children.