Intestinal Parasitosis among School Going Children in Bhaktapur, Nepal.

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasites continue to be an important cause of public health problems in the world, particularly among children living in developing countries. The study was aimed to assess the load of intestinal parasites among school going children of Bhaktapur district of Nepal.

Methods: A total of 184 stool samples were collected from school children of Bhaktapur district between the age group 3-14 years. The stools collected were examined by direct microscopy and confirmed by concentration methods (formal ether sedimentation technique).

Results: Prevalence of intestinal parasites among the children was found to be 42.9% (79/184). Giardia lamblia was the most predominant parasite, showing the incidence of 35.7%, followed by Taenia spp 22.6% and Blastocystis hominis 14.3%.

Conclusions: High parasitic infection in this study area may be due to lack of pure drinking water, lack of health education, unhygienic condition and presence of livestock near home, which is a major public health threat among school going children resulting serious illness.