title: Epidemiological study of parasitic infestations in lower socio-economic group in Chandigarh (north India).
abstract: When stool samples from 970 subjects belonging to lower socio-economic groups were examined for parasites, a total of 121 subjects (12.5%) i.e., 57 (12.1%) males and 64 (12.9%) females showed positive results. The overall prevalence of parasitic infestation did not correlate with sex, caste or religion and living conditions. However, the prevalence was higher in hospital employees residing in well sanitated area. Giardia lamblia (69.5%), Entamoeba, histolytica (15.7%), Hymenolepis nana (12.4%), Ancylostoma duodenale (10.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (8.3%) and Taenia (0.8%) were the parasites seen. Mixed infections were seen in 9 subjects. Twenty families of the 196 studied had more than one family member positive for parasites. Asymptomatic positivity was high amongst all groups of subjects, and with all parasites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Ramesh
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Malla
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Raju
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sehgal
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Ganguly
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Dilawari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors