Frequency and Types of Common Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infestation in Hazara Pediatric Population

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency and types of common gastrointestinal infestation in children of Hazara region, presenting with abdominal pain.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad from January  2014 to December 2014.

Materials and Methods: In this study 273 children with abdominal pain of either gender and age range 5-15 years were included. A stool routine examination was advised and requested from the pathology department of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad.

Results: A total of 273(100%) patients were included. Our study shows that 66% children were in age ranged 5-10 years and 34% children were in the age range 11-15 years. Mean age was 10 years with SD ± 3.71. Fifty-eight percent of children were male, and 115(42%) children were females. The incidence of helminth infection in our setup was found in 218(80%) children in which 145(53%) children had Ascaris lumbricoides, 27(10%) children had Hymenolepis nana, 33(12%) children had Trichuris trichhura, 11(4%) children had Enterobious vermicularis, 2(1%) children had Taenia saginata.

Conclusion: Our study concluded that the incidence of helminthes infection in our setup was 80% in which the most common helminth was Ascaris lumbricoides 53%, followed by Hymenolepis nana 10% and Trichuris trichhura 12% presenting with abdominal pain.