Prevalence of Soil-transmitted Helminthes Infections in School Going Children in North India

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections represent a major public health problem in poor and developing countries including India. Burden of STH does not only depend on regional ecological condition but also on local standard of social and economic development of the people. The wide spread use of anthelminths has shown remarkable reduction in the burden of STH in India. However, there is a risk of developing drug resistance as a result of frequent treatment with anthelminths. Although periodic treatment with anthelminths for the control of intestinal parasitic infection is highly effective and inexpensive, careful study of epidemiology of soil- transmitted helminthes is needed before making large scale periodic treatment schedules. The present study is designed to study the prevalence and distribution of STH infections in school going children.

Objectives: To study the Prevalence, distribution and Risk factors associated with of STH infection in school going children in north India.

Material and Method: This cross sectional study was conducted in school going children of Fathehgarh, Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh - India. A total of 580 school going children aged 6 - 14 years from two randomly selected primary schools studied.

Results&Conclusion: STH infection and anemia are still a major public health problem in school going children of north India. STH infection and high burden of anemia both are correlated with poor housing&hygienic conditions, malnutrition, illiteracy and faulty personal habits of children. It is recommended that periodic deworming of school going children should be continued.