Prevalence and risk factors associated with the presence of Soil-Transmitted Helminths in children studying in Municipal Corporation of Delhi Schools of Delhi, India.
To determine the type, prevalence, intensity and the potential risk factors for helminths infection harboured by primary school aged children from selected schools of Delhi, India. Stool samples collected from 347 boys and girls studying in grades I-IV (aged 5-15 years) were examined by the semi-quantitative Kato-Katz method for presence of eggs of soil-transmitted helminths. Questionnaire data on the potential risk factors, associated variables and consequences of infection were categorized as individual, household, hygiene/sanitation related and behavioural factors. Associations between infection and these factors were assessed by multiple logistic regressions. The overall prevalence of infection with any of the helminths was 29.7 %. The prevalence of single infection with Ascaris lumbricoides was 8.1 % while that of hookworm and Trichuris trichiura was 3.7 % each. Strongest predictors for the helminths presence were never deworming (OR = 1.76; 95 % CI: 1.05, 2.95), no facility for defection (OR = 4.31; 95 % CI: 1.22, 15.22), using left hand for cleaning anal region (OR = 2.01; 95 % CI: 1.18, 3.43) and not reporting pain in stomach (OR = 1.93; 95 % CI: 1.14, 3.26). Though the infection intensities were low, we highlighted some of the potential risk factors that increase the susceptibility to these infections. Periodic deworming along with improvement in hygiene and sanitation practices through concerted efforts, not only from the school infrastructure but also the community at large, will help prevent helminths transmission and reinfection.
Department of Food and Nutrition, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, F-4, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Marg, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110 016 India ; Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, 245 N. 15th Street, Bellet Building, Philadelphia, PA 19102 USA.
Sobhana
S
Ranjan
Department of Food and Nutrition, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, F-4, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Marg, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110 016 India ; NIHFW/ European Union/ Futures Group, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Baba Gang Nath Marg, Munirka, New Delhi, 110067 India.
Santosh Jain
SJ
Passi
Nutrition Division, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, DRDO, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi, 110054 India.
Som Nath
SN
Singh
Ascaris lumbricoides; Hookworm; Kato-Katz technique; Risk factors; Soil-transmitted helminths; Trichuris trichiura