WORM INFESTATION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN OF DISTRICT ZHOB, BALOCHISTAN, PAKISTAN

Authors

  • Umair Ali Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology Rawalpindi
  • Iftekhar Yousaf Army Medical College Rawalpindi
  • Syed Hasan Danish Community Health Sciences Department, Ziauddin University, Karachi
  • Farah Ahmad Community Health Sciences Department, Ziauddin University, Karachi
  • Wafa Hassan Community Health Sciences Department, Ziauddin University, Karachi

Keywords:

Helminthiasis, Iron deficiency, anaemia, faeco-oral route

Abstract

Background: Worm infestation or ‘Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis’ (STH) is a global health problem affecting 3.5 billion people worldwide. STH is the commonest cause of iron deficiency anemia world over, affecting about 1.3 billion people with highest prevalence and morbidity in young children. Anemia in children is associated with growth retardation, delayed motor development, poor cognitive abilities and impaired immune response. The objective of this study was to determine frequency of worm infestation and its causal relationship with iron deficiency anemia and to evaluate factors associated with it. Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted in district Zhob Balochistan from Apr 2014 to Dec 2014. Our study population was school going children selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. A structured questionnaire was administered. Results: Worm infestation was found in 30.6% students. Ascaris was found to be highest in frequency (15.3%) followed by Giardia (4.4%) and Hookworm (3.9%). Out of worm infested students, 87% were anaemic. Conclusion: Most of the children who were affected by worm infestation were anaemic.

Pak J Physiol 2016;12(1):18–21

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Published

31-03-2016

How to Cite

1.
Ali U, Yousaf I, Danish SH, Ahmad F, Hassan W. WORM INFESTATION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN OF DISTRICT ZHOB, BALOCHISTAN, PAKISTAN. Pak J Phsyiol [Internet]. 2016 Mar. 31 [cited 2024 Apr. 26];12(1):18-21. Available from: https://pjp.pps.org.pk/index.php/PJP/article/view/417

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2016): Pakistan Journal of Physiology

Section

Original Article

License

Pakistan Journal of Physiology, Pak J Physiol, PJP is FREE for research and academic purposes. It can be freely downloaded and stored, printed, presented, cited and quoted with full reference of, and acknowledgement to the PJP.