Study of Intestinal Parasitosis among School Going Children in Pokhara, Nepal

Authors

  • Kamal Singh Khadka School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Lekhnath-12, Kaski, Nepal
  • Hari Prasad Kaphle School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Lekhnath-12, Kaski, Nepal
  • Krishna Gurung Regional College of Science and Technology, Nayabazar-9, Kaski, Pokhara
  • Yogendra Shah Everest International Clinic and Research Center, Kalanki, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Manoj Sigdel Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37107/jhas.54

Abstract

The study was carried out in order to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in school-going children in schools located in Pokhara, Nepal from November 2011 to January 2012. A total number of 100 stool samples were collected from children of ages 3 to 15 years. A questionnaire including the factors predisposing to parasitosis was filled up and parasitic examination was carried out by direct wet mount examination and concentration method using standard formal ether concentration technique. The prevalence rate was found to be 15%. Prevalence of parasitic infection was higher in girls (16%) than in boys (14%) and age group 8-12 years were found to be more suffering (17.3%) than other age groups. The occurrence of parasitic infection in symptomatic children was found to be 40% and 10% in asymptomatic children. The symptoms were found statistically significant with infestation of parasites. Intestinal infection was highest in Dalit students (20%) compared to other caste students. Prevalence of parasitic infection in other caste was 15% in Brahman, 9.5% in Newar and 9% in Chhetri. Among 15 positive cases 5 types of parasites were detected. The results showed Giardia lamblia to be the most common parasite. Occurrence of other intestinal parasites was Entamoeba histolytica (26.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (26.6%), Trichuris trichura (6.6%) and Hook worm (6.6%). The study concluded that intestinal parasitosis is still public health problem among school going children of Pokhara valley especially among Dalit students.

Key words: Intestinal parasitosis, Formal ether concentration, Children, Pokhara, Nepal

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Published

2019-11-24

How to Cite

Singh Khadka, K. ., Prasad Kaphle, H. ., Gurung, K. ., Shah, Y. ., & Sigdel, M. . (2019). Study of Intestinal Parasitosis among School Going Children in Pokhara, Nepal. Journal of Health and Allied Sciences, 3(1), 47–50. https://doi.org/10.37107/jhas.54

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Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLES