A STUDY OF PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG URBAN AND RURAL POPULATION OF KHURJA (BULANDSHAHR)
Dr. Praveen Kumar*
Abstract
Parasitic infection of gastrointestinal tract is a major cause of
morbidity and mortality. Despite the existence of effective parasitic
infections remain a major public health problem. In rural and urban
communities, continuing infection is often reinforced by dietary habits.
The intestinal parasitism is common in developing countries. Their
distribution is mainly associated with poor personal hygiene,
environmental sanitation and socio – economic conditions. The present
study was carried out to assess the risk factors of gastrointestinal
parasites in Khurja, Bulandshahr from 2011 to 2013. A stool
examination was performed on 357, randomly selected persons from
urban and rural populations of Khurja, Bulandshahr. The collected stool specimens were
examined microscopically for the presence eggs, cysts and trophozoits of intestinal parasites,
using simple smear in saline method. Epidemiological data were analyzed using Chi –
Squared test. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was significantly higher (χ2 = 48.5, df = 3,
P = 7.82 at 0.05 level) in low age group, (χ2 = 14.85, df = 2, P = 5.99 at 0.05 level) in low
income group, (χ2 = 44.51, df = 3, P = 7.82 at 0.05 level) in illiterate persons, (χ2 = 6.94, df =
1, P = 3.84 at 0.05 level) in rural population and (χ2 = 67.34, df = 1, P = 3.841 at 0.05 level)
in males as compared to females. The present study indicates that a nationwide parasite
control project is necessary to reduce the possibility of morbidity and mortality due to
parasitic diseases in the country.
Keywords: Intestinal Parasites, Poverty, Nutritional Status.
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