Prevalence of Worm Infestation and Malnutrition in School going Children and risk factors responsible for Worm Infestation

Abstract

Objectives: Prevalence of malnutrition in AJK is very high in children between the age of 5-14 years and research based information about these health problems are generally lacking in school going children. The purpose of the present study was to find out the relationship between malnutrition and worm infestation in school going children.
Methodology: The study was carried out in Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) Muzaffarabad. Total 1902 students from nine Government schools of Muzaffarabad of age 5-14 were examined. Among these, 200 children were found with 3rd degree malnourished excluding children who were suffering from chronic diseases. Weight and height of the students was recorded. Stool samples of the students were collected and examined within one hour of collection under direct light microscope.
Results: Among these 200 students, 130 (65%) were found to have ova of one or more types of worms. Among the total population 190(10%) were having worm infestation. The male and female ratio for positive stool test was almost equal. Ova of the seven different types of worms were found in stool of infested students. By for the most common was Tenea (21%) and H-Nana (20%) species. Other species found were Hook worm (20%), Ascaris lumbricoides (12%), Trichoris Tricura (11%), Enterobius Vermicularis (10%) and Giardia Lamblia (6%). The relationship between worm infestation and malnutrition was found highly significant (p<.001). Among malnourished students, 65% were having worm infestation whereas only 6% of well-nourished children have worm infestation. The results pertaining to socio-economic status and malnutrition pointed out that the student having low socio economic status were more malnourished (96%) as compare to upper class (4%) p<.001. The relationship between malnutrition and safe water supply highlighted that the student having safe water supply were less malnourished (p<.001). Among the infested students, 84% falls under the category that depends on open field excreta disposal.
Conclusions: Prevalence of worm infestation was quite high in severely malnourished school going children and the most common worm infestation in our study was Tenea Saginata and H-Nana.