ANEMIA AND INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFESTATIONS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SKARDU

Intestinal Parasitic Infestations in Skardu

Abstract

Objective: Anemia and intestinal parasitic infestations are major medical and public health problems in Pakistan. This study was carried out to determine the frequency of anemia, intestinal parasitic infestations and possible correlation between two in Skardu district of Northern Areas.

Materials and Methods: This study included 978 school children in the villages of Alchori, Kharmang, Hamzigound and Dassu of district Skardu under school health care program 2004. Stool smears were prepared with normal saline and each sample was studied under light microscope using 10x and 40x objectives. Free flowing 20 ul capillary bloods by prick method was taken from each student and hemoglobin estimation was done by Cyanmethemoglobin method.

Results: Out of 978 specimens, 537 (54.91%) revealed the presence of either cysts or ova of the intestinal parasites. Out of 543 parasites isolated, the most common parasite isolated was Ascaris lumbricoides 193 (35.54%) followed by Giardia lamblia 168 (30.94%), Entamoeba histolytica 59 (10.87%), Trichuris trichura 46 (8.47%), Ankylostoma duodenale 32 (5.89%), Hymenolepsis nana 31 (5.71%), Entrobius vermicularis 11 (2.02%) and Taenia species 3 (0.55%). Three hundred and sixty two students (37.01%) had anaemia out of 978 students. Out of the 362 children with anemia, 283 (78.18%) were positive for intestinal parasites. Out of these 978, 623 (63.70%) were males and 355 (36.30%) were females. They were further subdivided on the basis of age into two groups. Six hundred and thirty three (64.72%) students were in 5-10 years age group and 345 (35.28%) in 11-15 years age group.

Conclusion: The present study revealed the high percentage of intestinal parasitic infestation associated with anemia in school children of district Skardu.