Prevalence of intestinal parasites among Chepang people in Shaktikhor area, Chitwan, Nepal

Abstract

Parasitic infection is one of the most important public health problem that have been suffered by most of the tropical and subtropical countries due to the humid climate, unsanitary practices, poor socio-economic status, unhealthy and unhygienic habit of living. The main motive of this study was to stumble on the prevalence of intestinal parasites among Chepang community living in Shaktikhor Area of Chitwan district. Questionnaire was prepared to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding intestinal parasites among Chepang people. Total 125 samples were selected randomly collected. Then these stool samples were examined by direct smear method and concentration methods. Out of 125 sample, 52% were found to be positive with one or more parasites. The prevalence rate of parasitic infection in male was 53.96% and in female was 50%. It showed that the rate of prevalence was higher among male than in female (p= 0.791). The highest existence of prevalence was among the age above 21 years and lowest was the age 2-10 years (p= 0.045). Altogether, seven different parasites were found with Ascaris lumbricoides as the dominant helminthic parasites (72.30%) and Entamoeba coli as the protozoan parasites (13.85%). This study showed that single infection was 83.07%, double infection was 15.38% and that of multiple infections was 1.53%. Hence, this study revealed the higher prevalence of parasitic infection which may be the result of contaminated food and water and poor personal prophylaxis. This study showed people drinking direct river water (61.17%) are found infected more than those using tap water (32.5%) (p= 0.005). Significant difference was obtained in terms of handwashing wise (p = 0.03), level of knowledge (p =0.03) and sources of drinking water (p=0.005). While there was no significant difference found in case of food-habit wise (p=0.933), occupation wise (p= 0.123), livestock and domestic animals presence wise (p=0.63), defecation (p= 0.12) and treatment-wise (p=0.16). The level of awareness is less regarding this prospectus so for minimizing the parasitic infection, awareness programmes, sanitary improvements, administration of drugs etc. are crucial.