Khalid Mehmood, Misbahul Islam Khan Sherwani, Maqsood Ahmed, Manzoor Hussain, Sohail Safdar, Maqsood Baitu1.
Parasitic infestation in children of district vehari: an underdeveloped area of Pakistan.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;48(1):15-8.

Objective: To determine parasitic infestation among children of rural and urban areas of district Vehari. Setting: Children Complex Hospital, at District Headquarter Hospital Vehari and PMRC Research Center, Nishtar Medical College, Multan, Pakistan Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in 2006 where 500 children aged 1-10 years presenting with anaemia and malnutrition were studied. Demographic information included residential area (rural/urban), gender, socio-economic status, hygienic conditions, source of drinking water were recorded on a questionnaire. Parents were interviewed, while stool and blood samples of children were collected for parasites and to determine anemia. Results: Parasites were found in 140(28%) children and anemia in 236(47%). Prevalence of protozoa 102 (20.4%) was greater than intestinal helminthes 38 (7.6%). The most common protozoa was Entamoeba histolytica 101 (20.2%) and in nematodes, Hymenolepis nana was seen in 28 (5.6%), Ancylostoma duodenale (hook worm) in 5 (1%), Ascaris lumbricoides (round worm) in 3 (0.6%) and Taenia saginata (tape worm) in 2 (0.4%). Diarrhoea was seen in 254 (50.8%) cases, constipation in 191 (38.2%), abdominal pain in 245 (49%), anorexia in 181 (36.2 %) and abdominal distension in 86 (17.2%) children. Rural children were significantly more infected with parasites, 81 cases (32.27%) compared with urban children 59 cases (23.69%) (p<0.05) and same was for poor children 81 (34.9%) compared with middle income 57(21.8%) (p<0.05). Infected cases with poor hygienic conditions (77 cases 35.2%) were more infected than those with satisfactory 62 (24.4%) and good hygiene 1(3.7%). Worm infestation was common 84(35.9%) in those using drinking water from hand pumps compared to those obtaining drinking water from government water supply 47(23.9%) and water filtration plant 9(13.%), a significant difference in infection due to poor quality drinking water was observed(p<0.05). Worm infestation and anemia were inter related and 85 (60.7%) children with anaemia had parasites against 55 (39.3%) who were not anaemic (p<0.05). Conclusion: Poor sanitation, hygiene and source of drinking water have appeared as major contributors towards parasitic infestation. Ent.histolytica was the most common protozoal infection found compared to helminths.

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