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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2008

S.A. Wani ,
F. Ahmad ,
S.A. Zargar ,
P.A. Dar ,
Z.A. Dar  and
T.R. Jan
S.A. Wani*
Affiliation:
P. G. Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar190 006, Jammu and Kashmir State, India
F. Ahmad
Affiliation:
P. G. Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar190 006, Jammu and Kashmir State, India
S.A. Zargar
Affiliation:
Department of Gastroenterology, SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar190 011, Jammu and Kashmir State, India
P.A. Dar
Affiliation:
P. G. Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar190 006, Jammu and Kashmir State, India
Z.A. Dar
Affiliation:
P. G. Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar190 006, Jammu and Kashmir State, India
T.R. Jan
Affiliation:
P. G. Department of Statistics, University of Kashmir, Srinagar190 006, Jammu and Kashmir State, India
*
*E-mail: showkat_aish@yahoo.co.in
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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.

Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 82 , Issue 4 , December 2008 , pp. 313 - 317
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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