Prevalence of single, double, or mixed infections with common intestinal helminths among the pediatric age group of the tea garden workers

Purnakshi Bhattacharyya; Dr.(Mrs.) Uttara Borkotoki

Volume : VII, Issue : VIII, August - 2017

Prevalence of single, double, or mixed infections with common intestinal helminths among the pediatric age group of the tea garden workers

Purnakshi Bhattacharyya, Dr. Mrs. Uttara Borkotoki

Abstract :

Intestinal helminthic infections in children are common in tea gardens of Assam due to poor economic conditions, ignorance due illiteracy, overcrowding and unhygienic living conditions in the residential colonies. A total of 100 stool samples were collected and tested microscopically for the ova of intestinal helminths. Single infection was more prevalent with Ascaris lumicoides (57.1%) followed by Trichuris trichura (12.9%) and Ancylostoma duodenale (5.7%).In case of double infection the prevalence was high (15.7%) in (Ascaris lumicoides and Trichuris trichura) infection. It was more than double infection caused by (Ascaris lumicoides and Ancylostoma duodenale), which was 7.1%. Ascaris lumicoides was found to be commonest ova in all category of infection. The maximum number of helminthic infection was seen in the age group of ≤ 1– 6 years (76.4%). It was followed by the age group of 7– 12 years (65.8%) and in the last age group of 13– 18 years it was 42.8%. the infection rate was decreasing with age. Out of 61 samples from male 42 (68.8%) and from 39 samples of female 24 (71.8%) were positive for helminthic ova. Maximum number of helminthic ova was seen in children of illiterate mothers (75%), followed by L.P school passed mothers (69%) and H.S and above passed mothers (45.5%).

Thus the study shows burden of common helminthic infections among pediatric age group of tea garden workers which needs appropriate preventive and control measures.