Abstract

A STUDY OF PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG URBAN AND RURAL POPULATION OF KHURJA (BULANDSHAHR)

Dr. Praveen Kumar*

Abstract

Parasitic infection of gastrointestinal tract is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Despite the existence of effective parasitic infections remain a major public health problem. In rural and urban communities, continuing infection is often reinforced by dietary habits. The intestinal parasitism is common in developing countries. Their distribution is mainly associated with poor personal hygiene, environmental sanitation and socio – economic conditions. The present study was carried out to assess the risk factors of gastrointestinal parasites in Khurja, Bulandshahr from 2011 to 2013. A stool examination was performed on 357, randomly selected persons from urban and rural populations of Khurja, Bulandshahr. The collected stool specimens were examined microscopically for the presence eggs, cysts and trophozoits of intestinal parasites, using simple smear in saline method. Epidemiological data were analyzed using Chi – Squared test. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was significantly higher (χ2 = 48.5, df = 3, P = 7.82 at 0.05 level) in low age group, (χ2 = 14.85, df = 2, P = 5.99 at 0.05 level) in low income group, (χ2 = 44.51, df = 3, P = 7.82 at 0.05 level) in illiterate persons, (χ2 = 6.94, df = 1, P = 3.84 at 0.05 level) in rural population and (χ2 = 67.34, df = 1, P = 3.841 at 0.05 level) in males as compared to females. The present study indicates that a nationwide parasite control project is necessary to reduce the possibility of morbidity and mortality due to parasitic diseases in the country.

Keywords: Intestinal Parasites, Poverty, Nutritional Status.