Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites Inpeople Consumingand Non-Consuming Alcohol Ofmushar Community, Chandralalpur-6, Siraha

Abstract

In the present study the base line household survey was carried out in the Mushar Community of Chandralalpur-6, Siraha with prepared questionnaire todetermine knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the prevalence of intestinalparasites in people consuming and non-consuming alcohol in different age groupsabove 10 years. The study duration was during the months ofApril to September,2009.Altogether 300 stool samples of different agegroups and sexes were collectedand examined by fecal smear preparation method.The stool samples were collectedon the basis of amountof alcohol consumedor not. They were categorized into heavydrunker, moderate drunker, rare drunker and non-drunker of alcohol. Out of 300 stool samples, 113 (37.66%) samples were recorded as positive.The prevalence rate of intestinal parasites was found to be most in non-alcoholic andgradually decreased from rare drunker to heavy drunker. The prevalence percentageof intestinal parasites was 0% in heavy drunker, 38 (31.66%) in moderate drunker, 35(70%) in rare drunker and 40 (88.88%) in non-drunkerof alcohol.Regarding the sex-wise, the total prevalence percentage of intestinal parasites in males was 31 (27.43%)and in females 82 (72.56%). Males were less infected by intestinal parasites incomparison to females. The prevalence percentage of intestinal parasites was 12.5%in males and 19.16% in females of moderate drunker, 16% in males and 54% infemales of rare drunker and 17.77% in males and 71.11% in females of non-drunkerof alcohol respectively. Among the protozoan infections,Entamoeba histolyticaandGiardia lambliawere found in the people of Mushar community. The prevalence percentage ofEntamoeba histolyticawas 0% in heavy drunker, 12 (31.57%) in moderate drunker, 7(20%) in rare drunker and 6 (15%) in non-drunker of alcohol whereas the prevalencepercentage of Giardia lambliawas 0% in heavy drunker 23 (31.75%) in moderatedrunker, 22 (62.85%) in rare drunker and 31 (77.5%) in non-drunker of alcoholrespectively. The prevalence percentage of helminth infections was 9 (7.96%)Ancylostomaduodenale12 (10.61%)Ascaris lumbricoides, 8 (7.07%)S. stercoralis,14 (12.38%) T. solium,14(12.38%)H. nanaand 2 (1.76%),T. trichiurarespectively. Regarding sex wise, prevalence of intestinal parasites in males was 31(16.23%) and in females was 82(75.22%). The present study shows that females weremore infected by the intestinal parasites in comparison to males.The prevalence ofintestinal parasites was found to be high because of their non-vegetarian, non-alcoholic feeding habit as well as their open air defecation practice and lack ofawareness. The prevalence percentage ofTaenia soliumwas found to be high becauseof heavy eating ofuncookedpork. Out of 300 respondents, only 4 (1.33%) malesrespondents were literate (able to read and write) and remaining all males and femalesrespondents were illiterate (not able to read and write).Most of the people i.e. 268(89.33%) respondents were non-vegetarian and 32 (10.66%) respondents werevegetarian. The rate of infections of intestinal parasites were found more in non-vegetarian than the vegetarian. Out of 113 (37.66%) positive samples 35.39% showedsingle infection, 52.21% showed double infection and 12.38% showed triple infection.The alcohol consuming behaviour in Mushar community was found to bevery high.Economic status of Mushar community seems to be extremely poor. Thus, in Mushar community people, public health awareness educationalprogramme should be launched along with poverty alleviation programme providingland with technical trainingas soon as possible to accommodate them in mainstreamof country development.