Prevalence And Associated Risk Factors With Entamoeba histolytica Infections In School Children
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/jaz.v45i2.3649Keywords:
Amoebiasis, Ascariasis, hookworm infection, Giardiasis, intestinal pathogenic protozoansAbstract
Entamoeba histolytica is medically important pathogenic parasitic protozoan of human in origin which causes amoebiasis that is common in children of devolving nations in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. A total of 100 children, comprising 45 boys and 55 girls, were screened to calculate the prevalence and risk factors of E.histolytica along with their socio-demographic characteristics among school children at Chkadara, Lower Dir, Pakistan. The stool samples were collected and transported to the Parasitology Laboratory, Zoology Separtment, Malakand University for parasitic investigation. Each of the stool samples were processed through floatation and sedimentation procedures and techniques and examined under the microscope first under low and then high power objectives. The protozoan cysts and the helminth eggs were have been investigated and identified through valid keys. The data was analysed through chi-square test via GraphPad version 5. The p vale was considered statistically significant if less than 0.05 at 95% CI. The results indicates that Entamoeba histolytica is a prominent pathogenic protozoan parasite in school children, with a total of 67 cases identified. Boys showed a slightly higher prevalence of this parasite, with 58.8% (n=30/51) cases compared to 58.7% (n=37/63) in boys. Ascaris lumbricoides, is another common intestinal parasite, was observed in a total of 35 cases, (30.7%) with an almost equal distribution among boys (17 cases) and girls (18 cases). Moreover, hookworm species was found in 11 children, with a somewhat higher prevalence in girls 11.1% (7 cases). Giardia spp, although less prevalent, still accounted for 4 cases, equally distributed among boys. E.histolytica was highest in prevalence as 58.7 %( 67/114) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides 30.7 % (n=35/114), then hookworms 9.64 % (n=11/114) while Giardia spp was found in least prevalence 0.87 %( n=1/114). Pattern of infection reveal that most of the students were found to be infected with 2 species of parasites including one is E.histolytica (37%) followed by single infection 20% with E.histolytica while least number of participants were reported to be infected with 3 species of parasites 10%. The overall prevalence was reported as 67%. Age and types of stool were not significantly associated with the prevalence of E.histolytica P>0.05, however all other factors sex, diarrheal status, parent education, parent employment status and economic conditions were significantly related to the prevalence of E.histolytica infection (P<0.05).
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