Association between intestinal helminthic infections and anaemia status in preschool children in the district Skardu of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the frequency of parasitic infections and to assess the relation between intestinal helminth infection and the anaemia status of pre-school children.

METHODS

The community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Skardu, Pakistan, from August 2016 to January 2017, and comprised pre-school children of either gender. Demographical data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Stool samples were collected and examined for the presence and differentiation of ova / larvae of different intestinal helminths under microscope at the pathology department of a local healthcare facility. Blood haemoglobin was measured from blood samples and anaemia was defined as blood Hb <11g/dL. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.

RESULTS

Of the 300 paediatric subjects, 169 (56.3%) were males and 131 (43.7%) females. The overall mean age of the sample was 36±16 months. Of the total, 161(53.67%) were found infected. Among the infected, 93(31%) were males and 68(22.67%) were females (p=0.10). Among those who were infection-free, 46(15.3%) children were anaemic.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of helminthic infections in pre-school children in Skardu was found to be high. The public health problem needs to be addressed for the healthy development of children.