Intestinal parasitic infestation in combatants and their families: a hospital-based study in Mid-Western Regional Police Hospital, Nepal.
OBJECTIVE
To find out the scenario of intestinal parasitic infestation in combatants and their families in the setting of Mid-Western Regional Police Hospital (MWRPH), Nepal.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
All 2005 patients presented with the complaint of abdominal pain, diarrhoea, frequent defecation, blood in stool, or black stool from August 2007 to February 2011 were offered a stool examination. About 10g of fresh stool was collected in a clean, dry bottle. Two slides from each specimen were examined applying light microscope in 10 and 40 uvf at Banke, Nepalgunj hospital laboratory.


RESULTS
Among 2005 patients, 928 (46.28%) were infested with either helminths and/or protozoa. 96% were single infestation. The most common infestation was Ascaris lumbricoides (48.06%) and the second was hook worm (18.97%). Most common protozoal infestations were Entamoeba histolytica (12.92%) and Giardia lamblia (9.49%). Helminthic infestations peaked in cool months and protozoal infestations were rather steady throughout the year.


CONCLUSIONS
Very high parasitic infestation in least developed mid- western Nepal may need urgent public health intervention.
Damodar
D
Paudel
Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan; Boromarajonani College of Nursing, BCNLP, Thailand; Chaingmai Rajabhat University, Thailand. dr.myonyeinaung@gmail.com.
Myo Nyein
MN
Aung
Bindhya
B
Sharma
Thin Nyein Nyein
TN
Aung
Saiyud
S
Moolphate
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D016495:Police; D012621:Seasons; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult