Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Earthquake Victims of Chautara Municipality of Sindhupalchok District, Nepal

Abstract

An earthquake of intensity 7.6 magnitude on April 25, followed by 6.8 magnitudes on May 12, 2015, affected 35 districts of Nepal including Sindhupalchok. This study wasconducted between March to December, 2015 to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in the population displaced by earthquake in camps of Chautara municipality.The displaced population inhabiting in camps were using common toilet with poor sanitary condition, the camps lacked garbage disposal and tap water was the major sourceof drinking. The study was based on stool examination and questionnaire survey.Altogether 82 stool samples were collected and examined by direct wet mount method.The baseline household survey was carried out with prepared questionnaire to determineknowledge and practices regarding intestinal parasites. The overall prevalence ofintestinal parasites was 54.88% where helminthic infection was higher than protozoan infection. All together five different intestinal parasites were identified among themAscaris lumbricoides identified as a most common parasite. Out of different age groups 020 year’s age group has maximum prevalence whereas 20-40 age groups have minimum

prevalence. Statistically significant difference was found in infection rate among different

age

groups of people (χ2= 11.474, P< 0.05). Sex wise prevalence showed parasiticinfection higher in female (60%) than in male (50%) with statistically insignificant association (χ2=0.2, P>0.05). Single infection was found higher followed by double andmultiple infections. Prevalence of parasitic infection shows significant difference with awareness, hand washing behavior, methods of using drinking water and use ofdeworming tablet, whereas insignificant association with site of defecation and source ofdrinking water. Thus, a high prevalence of intestinal parasites was found in people living in temporary houses after 2015 earthquake in Chautara and to control the parasiticinfection health awareness, well managed public toilet and provision of anthelminthicdrug is must.