Intestinal helminths in a population of children from the Kashmir valley, India

Abstract

In any geographical area, surveys of the prevalence of intestinal helminths are necessary to suggest appropriate control measures. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections in children of the Kashmir valley and to identify the risk factors. Stool samples were collected from 2256 children from rural as well as urban areas of the Kashmir valley. The samples were examined by simple smear and zinc sulphate concentration methods. Intensity of the infection was quantified by Stoll's egg-counting technique. Infection by at least one intestinal helminth was found in 71.18% of the sampled population. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was highest (68.30%), followed by Trichuris trichiura (27.92%), Enterobius vermicularis (12.67%) and Taenia saginata (4.60%). Light (57.1%) to moderate (42.8%) intensity of infection was observed for A. lumbricoides, while the majority of the infected children (92.3%) harboured a light intensity of infection for T. trichiura. The age group, rural or urban residence, type of water source, boiled or unboiled water, type of defecation site, level of personal hygiene and maternal education were associated with helminth infection. Adequate control measures are urgently needed to combat the high prevalence of intestinal helminths and risk factors in the children of Kashmir valley.

A Cross Sectional Study for Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infestation by Using Saline, Iodine, Glycerol-Iodine, KOH and LPCB Wet Mount Preparations of Stool Samples From Patients Attending Aims, Dewas

“…This is contrary to few reports documented in other parts of India where helminthic preponderance was reported (Shailendra Singh Thakur and Vipin Todase, 2018;Wani et al, 2008;Awasthi and Pande, 1997).…”

“…The higher prevalence in this age group may be due to the high contamination of soil where children play and eat food without washing their hands and working age group over here is mainly involved in agriculture work predisposing them by contaminated soil (Wani et al, 2008;Awasthi and Pande, 1997).…”

“…In one of the studies done in children of the Kashmir valley, India, has reported that 71.2 % of the sampled population showed at least one intestinal helminth. (Wani et al, 2008) Rapid industrialization, change in life style and a shift of the population from rural to urban areas have caused drop in the environmental quality (Amar et al, 2002).…”

Trichuris dysentery syndrome: a common cause of chronic iron deficiency anemia in adults in an endemic area (with videos)

“…The occurrence of TDS in adults in this study was possibly related to a very high prevalence of gut parasites including T trichiura in Kashmir, India. 4,5 There were several differences in clinical presentation of TDS in children and adults. Children present with dominant colonic symptoms and associated malnutrition, growth retardation, and impaired cognitive function.…”

Foodborne Nematodal Infections in Hospitalized Patients from a Southwestern Romanian County

“…Noteworthy is that the infections with these helminths prevailed in many study groups (Ak et al, 2006;Adeoye et al, 2007;Chen et al, 2008;Menezes et al, 2008;Wani et al, 2008;Jensen et al, 2009;Morenikeji et al, 2009). A recent survey regarding the contamination of vegetables with parasitic eggs in a market in Vietnam revealed that Ascaris sp.…”