Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among Public and Private School Children below 10 years’ at Tarakeswor-10 Manamaiju, Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Intestinal parasitosis is one of the chief causes of public health problems particularly in developing countries. Subject and Methods: Among the various health problems amoebiasis and helminthic infection are still significant among the school pupil in context of Nepal. In this article, we reported the status of intestinal parasitosis among the school pupil in this area. Present study was aimed in finding out the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in public and private school pupil below 10 years at Tarakeswor-10 (Kathmandu Valley). A total of 160 (80 from public and 80 from private school) stool samples collected in clean, dry and screw capped plastic container were studied for the presence of parasites using direct smear method as well as by concentration method. Results: Overall parasite positive rate was 40% (64/160). Positive rate was considerably higher in public school children (47.5%; 38/80) compared with private school (32.5%; 26/80) (P < 0.05). No significant difference in positive rate among boys (53.13% ; 34/64) and girls (46.87%; 30/64) was observed (P > 0.05). However, boys in private school had higher positive rate (boys: 57.69%; girls 42.30%; P < 0.05). Total six genuses of parasites were identified. Of them, Ascaris lumbricoides was most common followed by Trichuris trichiura, Hookworms, Taenia sp., Entamoeba coli and Enterobius vermicularis.
Conclusion: Parasites positive rate were higher in children who were drinking untreated water. Children had higher positive rate that were from families without toilet.