FREQUENCY AND PATTERN OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFESTATION IN UPPER NEELUM VALLEY

Pattern of Intestinal Parasitic Infestation

Abstract

Background: The public health importance of intestinal parasitic infestations can not be denied because of their high prevalence and global distribution. It is an established fact that intestinal parasitic infestations can lead to a number of adverse affects like anaemia, stunted physical and mental growth, abdominal colic, cholestasis, cholecystitis and pancreatitis.

Objective: To assess the frequency and pattern of intestinal parasitic infestation in upper Neelum Valley (Azad Kashmir).

Place and Duration: The study was conducted at Military Field Hospital Neelum Valley Azad Kashmir from July 2004 to Jun 2006.

Materials and Methods: The patients presenting with various abdominal complaints were included in the study. The stool samples of a total of 638 patients were examined by Direct Microscopy as well as by Formal Ether Concentration Method wherever necessary.

Results: One hundred and fifteen 155 (18.02%) non duplicate stool samples were positive for intestinal parasites. There was no statistically significant difference in incidence with regard to age or gender (P > 0.05).  Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common parasite 58 (50.43%) cases followed by Tinea saginata 31 (26.96%) cases and Giardia lamblia 11 (9.57%) cases. Hymenolepis nana 6 (5.22%) cases, Trichuris trichura 5 (4.35%) cases, Entrobius vermicularis 3 (2.60%) and Entamoeba histolytica 1 (0.87%) cases were less frequent. No case of Hookworm was seen.

Conclusion: The percentage of intestinal parasites (18.03%) is quite high in upper Neelum Valley. The helminthes are more common than protozoa. Ascaris lumbricoides is the most common parasite followed by Tinea saginata and others.

Recommendations: Appropriate steps be taken at District level for provision of safe drinking water schemes and improvement in local sanitary conditions. The Health and Education departments should help by inculcating awareness among the general public about importance of safe drinking water, environmental and personnel hygiene alongwith periodic de-worming programmes. These measures would help in reducing the occurrence of intestinal parasites and associated adverse affects.