Epidemiology of Ascaris lumbricoides in District Karak, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan
Prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides in District Karak
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i2.1140Keywords:
Ascaris lumbricoides, intestinal parasitic infection, prevalence, District Karak, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, cross-sectional study, rural health, public health, soil-transmitted helminth.Abstract
Background: Ascariasis, caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, is a significant public health concern globally, particularly in developing regions. This intestinal parasitic infection is prevalent among rural communities with poor sanitation and hygiene practices, affecting various age groups, especially children.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with Ascaris lumbricoides infection in District Karak, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 143 participants aged 2 to 60 years. Fecal samples were collected and analyzed using flotation and sedimentation techniques for the detection of Ascaris lumbricoides ova. Socio-demographic data, hygiene practices, and environmental factors were recorded through structured questionnaires.
Results: Out of 143 samples, 71 tested positive, indicating a prevalence rate of 49.5%. The prevalence was higher in rural areas (71%) compared to urban areas (31%). Females (58.3%) and children (67.6%) had a higher infection rate. The most common water source was the pressure pump (43%). Mebendazole (65%) was the preferred treatment.
Conclusion: The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides is alarmingly high in District Karak, with rural populations, children, and females being the most vulnerable. Effective public health interventions are needed.
Downloads
References
Ali SA, Niaz S, Aguilar-Marcelino L, et al. Prevalence of Ascaris Lumbricoides in Contaminated Fecal Samples of Children Residing in Urban Areas of Lahore, Pakistan. Sci Rep. 2020;10:21815.
Cooper ES, Whyte-Alleng CAM, Finzi-Smith JS, Mac Donald TT. Intestinal Nematode Infections in Children: The Pathophysiologic Price Paid. Parasitology. 1992;104.
Crompton DW. Ascaris and Ascariasis. Adv Parasitol. 2001;48:285-375.
Degarege A, Animut A, Medhin G, Legesse M, Erko B. The Association Between Multiple Intestinal Helminth Infections and Blood Group, Anaemia and Nutritional Status in Human Populations From Dore Bafeno, Southern Ethiopia. J Helminthol. 2014;88(2):152-159.
Fleming AF, de Silva PS. Hematological Diseases in the Tropics. In: Cook GC, Zumla AI, editors. Manson's Tropical Diseases. Saunders-Elsevier; 2004. p. 169-244.
Garcia LS. Soil-Transmitted Helminths. In: Diagnostic Medical Parasitology. 6th ed. ASM Press; 2016. p. 70-71.
Getaneh M, Hailegebriel T, Munshea A, Nibret E. Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections Among Schoolchildren Around Lake Tana, Northwest Ethiopia. J Parasitol Res. 2022;2022:4603638.
Hall A, Chan M. Intestinal Worms: Strategies to Control Disease. Afr Health. 1994;17:23-26.
Incani RN, Mughini-Gras L, Homan T, Sequera I, Sequera L, Serrano R, Sequera C, Salas L, Salazar M, Santos P. Risk of Acquiring Ascaris Lumbricoides Infection in an Endemically Infected Rural Community in Venezuela. Epidemiol Infect. 2022;150.
Kabatereine NB, Tukahebwa EM, Brooker S, Alderman H, Hall A. Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis in Uganda: Epidemiology and Cost of Control. Trop Med Int Health. 2005;10:1187-1189.
Narain K, Mahanta J. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Ascaris Lumbricoides Infection: Experience From Some Rural Communities of Assam. J Hum Ecol. 2001;12:75-79.
Nishiura H, Imai H, Nakao H, Tsukino H, Changazi MA, Hussain G, Kuroda Y, Katoh T. Ascaris Lumbricoides Among Children in Rural Communities in the Northern Area, Pakistan: Prevalence, Intensity, and Associated Socio-Cultural and Behavioral Risk Factors. Acta Trop. 2002;83(3):223-231.
Pal M. Parasitic Zoonoses. Addis Ababa University, College of Veterinary Medicine; 2014. p. 1-34.
Papier K, Williams GM, Luceres-Catubig R, Ahmed F, Olveda RM, McManus DP, Ross AG. Childhood Malnutrition and Parasitic Helminth Interactions. Clin Infect Dis. 2014;59(2):234-243.
Pullan RL, Brooker SJ. The Global Limits and Population at Risk of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in 2010. Parasites Vectors. 2012;5:81.
Stephenson LS, Latham MC, Ottesen EA. Malnutrition and Parasitic Helminth Infections. Parasitology. 2000;121.
Sundriyal D, Bansal S, Kumar N, Sharma N. Biliary Ascariasis: Radiological Clue to Diagnosis. Oxford Med Case Reports. 2015;3:246-247.
World Bank. World Development Report: Investing in Health. Oxford University Press; 1993.
Waheed Ullah, Akram Shah AS, Qaiser Jamal QJ, Sana Ullah, Ibrar Muhammad, Hamid Ullah. Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites Among School Children in District Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan.
Bundy DA, Cooper ES. Trichuris and Trichuriasis in Humans. Adv Parasitol. 1989;28:107-73.
Liu L, Weller PF, Antin JH. Intestinal Nematodes. In: Longo DL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Jameson JL, Loscalzo J, editors. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Vol. 1. McGraw Hill; 2013. p. 1024-9.
Narain K, Mahanta J. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Ascaris Lumbricoides Infection: Experience From Some Rural Communities of Assam. J Hum Ecol. 2001;12(1):75-79.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Sufyan, Fazal Kareem, Fahad Bin Riaz, Attiya Arina Fairy, Nadir Akhtar, Rehmat Farhaj, Saqib Muhammad
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
