Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Risk Factors Among School-going Children of Age 1-5 years in Dharan, Eastern Nepal

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections have been a major public health burden of developing countries, especially in children. Higher prevalence has been reported among school children, mostly in rural areas of Nepal where water, toilets, hygiene, and sanitation facilities are insufficient. This cross-sectional study was carried out from April to September 2019 to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among school-going children1-5 years of Dharan, Nepal, and to assess the associated risk factors. Stool samples were collected in a clean, dry, screw-capped, and wide-mouthed plastic container, kept in an icebox, and transported to the laboratory. Data relating to different risk factors were collected from the parents of 116 participants using a structured questionnaire. The parasites were identified by using the direct wet mount method and formal-ether concentration method. Pearson’s chi-square test was carried out to establish associations between dependent and independent variables using SPSS version 20, and the test considered a greater than < 0.05% as statistically significant with a 95% confidence level. Out of the 116 stool samples, 9 (7.75%) tested positive for the parasitic infections in which 5 (55.5%) were protozoa and 4 (44.45%) were helminths. The prevalent parasites, were Entamoeba histolytica (23%), Hyamenolepis nana (22%), Giardia lamblia (11%), Hookworm (11%), Entamoeba coli (11%), Ascaris lumbricoides (11%), and Intestinal parasitic infections had a significant association with drinking water, bowel syndrome, bathing habit, toilet facility, and washing hands after toilets (p<0.05). Lack of toilets, poor hygiene, and unsafe drinking water were the main risk factors. Improved hygienic practices, safe drinking water, and the use of latrines could lower the rate of parasitic infections.

Prevalence of stunting and associated factors among under-five children in sub-Saharan Africa: Multilevel ordinal logistic regression analysis modeling

“…The result of the current studies showed that children taking drugs for the intestine parasite in the last six months had less odds of stunting compared to children had no taking drugs for the intestine parasite in the last six months it is consistent with previous studies reported in Eastern Nepal, Ethiopia and Tanzania, [ 11 , 23 , 24 ] it could be due to the routine vitamin A supplementation, protective or curative deforming combined with Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness may benefit to decrease the problem of childhood stunting. The current study showed that the odds of stunting was higher among twin pregnancies mother compared with that of singleton pregnancies mother which is in line with study conducted in South Africa [ 25 ], East Africa [ 26 ] and Italy [ 27 ].…”

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“…The result of the current studies showed that children taking drugs for the intestine parasite in the last six months had less odds of stunting compared to children had no taking drugs for the intestine parasite in the last six months it is consistent with previous studies reported in Eastern Nepal, Ethiopia and Tanzania, [11,23,24] it could be due to the routine vitamin A supplementation, protective or curative deforming combined with Integrated Management of…”

Prevalence and contributing factors of intestinal parasitic infections among school children with malnutrition in Hetauda, Nepal: A cross‐sectional study

“…Mainly, G. lamblia was seen higher in male gender and younger age group had more prevalence of infection than the older ones 39 . Yet, few studies reported similar risk of IPIs between male and female 40 . In this study, majority of female reported healthier behavioral and lifestyle characteristics (i.e., less consumption of pork) compared to male participants ( p < 0.05), which may explain such discrepancy in IPIs infection by gender.…”

“…39 Yet, few studies reported similar risk of IPIs between male and female. 40 In this study, majority of female reported healthier behavioral and lifestyle characteristics (i.e., less consumption of pork) compared to male participants ( p < 0.05), which may explain such discrepancy in IPIs infection by gender. Another study carried out in rural Nepal showed contrasting results to our study where younger girls were more infected (55.2%) than boys (44.8%).…”