Prevalence and Risk Factors of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Preschool and School-Aged Children of Kapan, Katmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Protozoan and helminth intestinal parasitic infections are widespread worldwide and have been identified as the leading cause of parasitic diseases globally, continuing to be a major public health concern in impoverished developing nations. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections in the preschool and school-aged children of Kapan, Kathmandu District of Nepal. Altogether, 148 stool samples were collected. 88 samples of preschool children with ages (3 to <6 years) were collected from Life Skills School and remaining 60 samples of school-aged children with ages (6 to ≤10 years) were collected from 45 different households of Kapan studying in different private schools. The samples were then preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate for a cross-sectional, purposeful investigation. A standard questionnaire was employed in the study to evaluate the risk factors. Microscopical examinations were performed on the fecal samples, and normal saline wet mount, iodine mount, and concentration methods, such as flotation and sedimentation, were followed. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 24 (16.21%) out of 148 stool samples. The IPs in 3 to <6 years age group was 19.31% and in 6 to ≤10 years age group was 11.66%. Sex-wise prevalence showed overall 15.66% in males and 16.92% in females. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in males and females of preschool children was 18.36% and 20.51% respectively, and the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in males and females of school aged children was 11.76% and 11.53% respectively. However, there was no statistical association between age, sex and parasitic infection (p>0.05). The nail-biting habit (p=0.008),untrimmed nail (p=0.018), untreated water (p=0.013) and not-use of anti-helminth before (p=0.039) were found to be associated with the intestinal parasitic infection (p<0.05). Maintaining personal hygiene, implementing a biannual mass deworming program and spread-ing awareness about intestinal parasites and infection management measures, using community centers, local media, and educational institutions as information-dissemination venues are crucial for stopping and managing the spread of parasitic infection.