Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors among children attending a tertiary care hospital

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are one of the major causes of morbidity in the developing world. This hospital-based prospective study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence rates of IPIs and to assess the risk factors associated with these infections in children attending a paediatric hospital. Seven hundred and five patients were analysed for IPIs and associated risk factors from April 2018 to March 2019. Information on the associated risk factors was obtained from a structured questionnaire protocol. Microscopic examination of stool samples was done by direct slide smear and after the formol-ether concentration technique. The overall prevalence of IPIs was 20.9%. In the age group, 5-9 years, the prevalence of parasitic infection (27.4%) was high. Among the intestinal parasites detected helminths and protozoans were 60.8% and 39.1% respectively. Among the helminths, Ascaris lumbricoides (20.5%) was most prevalent followed by Trichuris trichiura (18.1%) while among the protozoa Giardia intestinalis (18.7%) was most prevalent, followed by Entamoeba spp. (8.4%). Among the positive samples, the single parasite was detected in 87.8% while dual parasites were detected in 12.2% stool samples. Univariate analysis showed age, drinking water from an open well, a habit of open defecation, illiteracy and living in a rural area to be associated with a high risk of IPIs (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression revealed a significant association of intestinal parasitic infections with age (0-5years) and (10-14 years) and drinking water from an open well. Identifying and rectifying risk factors by creating awareness are needed to prevent community spread. Periodic deworming programmes should be implemented successfully in the community.