Prevalence of intestinal worm infestations among school children in Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal Med Coll J. 2011 Dec;13(4):272-4.

Abstract

Intestinal worm infestation is one of the major childhood health problem in Nepal. This study was done to assess the prevalence of intestinal worm infestations among school children aged 6-16 years in a public high school in Kathmandu Nepal. A total of 142 stool samples from healthy students were collected and reported following formol-ether concentration technique. The overall prevalence of intestinal worm infestation was found to be 17.6% (Boys = 22.0% vs girls = 13.5%). Children aged 6-8 years were found to be highly infected with intestinal worms (21.4%) followed by 9-12 years old (18.6%). Those between 13-16 years of age were significantly less infected (10.7%) compared to others (p < 0.05). Ova/cysts of intestinal parasites detected include Trichuris trichiura (32.0%), Ascaris lumbricoides (20.0%), Hymenolepis nana (16.0%), hookworm (8.0%) and 24.0% cases showed mixed parasitic infections.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Child
  • Female
  • Helminthiasis / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Nepal / epidemiology
  • Prevalence