Prevalence of intestinal parasites at Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India: Five-year study

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in hospitals at Ujjain. A total of 5990 samples were collected in five years: 3580 from Ujjain Charitable Trust Hospital (Urban population) and 2410 from R. D. Gardi Medical College (Rural population). Overall prevalence rate of intestinal parasite was 21.4%. Entamoeba histolytica (10.5%) was the commonest protozoa followed by Giardia lamblia (3.9%). Among the helminths, Ascaris lumbricoides (2.8%) was the commonest. Multiple infections were seen in 70 samples. There was difference in prevalence between urban (20.2%) and rural (23.1%) population. Females (27.4%) were more affected than males (18.2%) and age group 0 to 10 years old had the highest rate of infection. The results indicate that there is a need to implement control measures in form of regular deworming, health education and provision of safe water supply.   Key words: Intestinal parasites, prevalence, rural, urban, Ujjain.