Prevalence and correlation of soil transmitted helminth infection to the degree of anemia and nutritional status among pediatric patients of age group 6-14 years in Kishanganj, Bihar, India

Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are among the most common chronic infections worldwide mainly in low and middle income countries. 1 Helminthic infestations are infamous among children in rural areas such as aborigine settlements associated with substandard sanitation system and low socioeconomic status. Among young, in tropical and subtropical regions in particular, these constitute a major health problem. The three common STH species ABSTRACT Background: Intestinal parasites are a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries, affecting the physical growth and cognitive development in school age children. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of various helminthes, the symptomatology and clinical manifestations of various helminthes and to correlate the nutritional status with the type of helminthic infestation. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving children aged 6-14 years attending pediatric outpatient department in MGM Medical College, Kishanganj who were screened to estimate the prevalence of soil transmitted helminthes. Results: Out of the 500 children examined, 275 children were positive for one or other helminthic ova in the stool samples giving overall incidence of 55 %. Ascariasis was most common with 58.2% among all the positive cases, hookworm 7.3%, trichuris trichura 14.5%, hymenolepsis nana 3.6%, taenia saginata 1.8% while mixed infestations constitute 14.5%. There was no significant association of gender and infestation (p value >0.05). Patients on nonvegetarian diet were more prone to get infested (Chi-square value = 19.48, p value<0.05). Children with low socio economic status were more likely to have intestinal parasites (Chi-square value = 63.32, p value<0.05). Out of the 275 children with helminthic infestation, 150 children were found anaemic. Out of the 160 children positive for ascariasis, 110 children were anaemic (68.80%). Mild degree of anemia had statically more significant association with ascariasis, Hookworm infestation and mixed infestation in comparison to moderate to severe anemia (p value<0.05). Poor nutritional status was found significantly associated with risk of worm infestations (Chi-square value = 243.48, p value <0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated the results similar to other studies of various authors all over India regarding helminthic infestation with respect to epidemiology, clinical manifestations and relation with nutritional status. Helminthic infestations can be brought down by simple measures such as mass education, good personal hygiene, proper and safe disposal of faecal wastes, proper sanitation, and clean eating habits and by periodic deworming of children.

Occurrence of intestinal parasites among school going children of a slum area in Dhaka city

“…In the present study, Trichuris trichura had more infection in male (13.95%) than female (10.31% ). Similar result was also observed by Ahmed et al (2013) and Kumar et al (2017).…”

Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal Helminthiasis among the children of Begun Bari slum, Tejgaon, Dhaka

“…T. trichiura (20.75%) was also moderately prevalent; topmost (16.95%) in male (Table 1). Similar result was found by Uddin and Khanum (2008) and Kumar et al (2017). In the present study, A. lumbricoides was the most prevalent (42.11%) among the children aged 10-12 years old (Table 2).…”

“…Children of illiterate mothers (unable to read and write) were more prone to helminth infestation (91.89%) (Table 3) which is supported by another study conducted among the Mexican children; revealed low maternal education level was highly associated with parasitic infection (p < 0.001) (Quihui et al 2006). Kumar et al (2017) found that children with low educational status were more likely to have intestinal parasites too.…”

Association between the socioeconomic determinants and soil-transmitted helminthiasis among school-going children in a rural area of Haryana

“…Similar findings were reported in Dhaka, Bangladesh by Banu S. S. et al [ 7 ] and in Nigeria by Saka MI et al [ 8 ] The present study found out that the age and caste wise association with helminthes was statistically significant (p value = 0.005). Kumar S et al in Bihar[ 9 ] reported similar observations. Nearly half of the subjects belonged to lower middle class IV (48.7%) followed by middle class III who account for 28%; however, the association between helminthic infection and the socioeconomic status of participants was found to be statistically significant (p value = 0.010).…”

“…Nearly half of the subjects belonged to lower middle class IV (48.7%) followed by middle class III who account for 28%; however, the association between helminthic infection and the socioeconomic status of participants was found to be statistically significant (p value = 0.010). Banu SS et al , Dhaka, Bangladesh[ 7 ] and Kumar S et al [ 9 ] also found a similar significant association of socioeconomic status and Helminthic infestation. Kaur H and Sween[ 10 ] also found higher incidence of parasitic infections among children belonging to low socioeconomic status.…”