Article Published In Vol. 04, Issue 01 (2024)

PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTION AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MALNUTRITION IN BULANDSHAHR

Author : Hridayesh Arya and B. R. Singh

Abstract

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic diseases constitute a global health burden causing clinical morbidity in millions of people, many of these are children under five years of age in developing countries. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection with special reference to malnutrition under five years of age in district Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh.  

Material and Methods: The study population consists of children under five years of age groups of both sexes. Chi square test was applied to study the association between prevalence of intestinal parasites and the protein energy malnutrition, stunting and wasting. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of values were also used. p < 0.05 was considered as significant.

Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasites was significantly higher in the children with severe protein energy malnutrition (χ²=7.0936, d.f.=2, p=0.02882), stunting (χ²=4.0443, d.f.=1, p=0.0443) and wasting (χ²=5.6497, d.f.=1, p=0.0175) as compared to children with mild protein energy malnutrition, non-stunting and non-wasting category.

Conclusions: This study shows that intestinal parasitic infections are prevalent in the study area and require immediate control and preventive measures. Educating the population about the spread of intestinal parasitic infections and promoting good health and hygiene practices of children for the prevention from intestinal parasitic infections.

Key words: Intestinal parasites, malnutrition, risk factors, Bulandshahr