Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infection among Rural Area School Children of Lokhim VDC, Nepal

Background: In the developing world, intestinal parasitic infection plays a significant role in high morbidity and mortality among the general population. In a developing country like Nepal, burden of parasitic infection appears in all ages mainly due to factors like lack of education, low socio-economic status, poor sanitation, consumption of unhealthy food and water. The burden and impact is even higher in school going children of rural community. Thus, the present study was planned to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among the rural community school going children of Lokhim Village Development Committee (VDC) situated in Solukhumbu district, Nepal. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted from February to July 2016 on 359 students attending Janata Secondary School, Lokhim VDC. The detection of parasite in stool samples was done by conventional microscopy using normal saline and Iodine wet mount method. Result: The overall intestinal parasitic prevalence was found to be 30.92% (111/359). Highest prevalence rate was seen with Giardia lamblia13% (n=50) followed by Entamoeba histolytica6.68% (n=24), Hymenolepis nana2.79% (n=10), hookworm 2.5% (n=9), Ascaris lumbricoides2.30% (n=8), Trichuris trichiura0.84% (n=3) and Enterobious vermicularis0.28% (n=1). The prevalence of parasites was found to be higher in female children than in the male children, and highest prevalence was found in age group of 6 to 10 years, but the difference was statistically insignificant (p value > 0.05) in both categories. Conclusion: Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among school children in the study area is high.In order to bring a positive change in the current status of parasitic prevalence, the need for effective long term strategies, health policies, health awareness education program, regular screening and distribution of antiprotozoals besides the deworming program are indicated.