Prevalence of Worm Infection in Relation to Body Mass Index in Children of 5-10 Yrs of Age in Tehsil Narowal, Pakistan

摘要

Aim: To assess the magnitude of worm infections, their type and to correlate the impact of worm infections in children with their body mass index. Method: The study was carried out on school going children for 5-10 years of age in Tehsil Narowal, District Narowal, and Pakistan. They were of different age groups with lower socio economic status. 406 children randomly selected from various government and private schools from the various union councils for both genders (male and female). Early morning fresh stool samples were collected in sealed labeled plastic containers with lid and analyzed microscopy for the presence of eggs/ova/larvae or worm infections in laboratory. Anthropometric measurements were taken at the spot by using measuring scale for weight and height along with their mid arm circumferences. Body Mass Index was calculated and compared with standard percentile charts for age and gender. Results: 145 (35.71%) children found with various types of worm infection. 56 (35.67%) and 89 (35.74%) children were positive with helminthes male and female respectively in the studied population. Sixth and seventh year of age in both male and female were more susceptible for the infestation. Taenia saginata was the more common found organism in gastrointestinal tract of male population and Giardia lamblia in female among the children of studied area. 137 (94.48%) children were infected with the single intestinal worm while only 8 (5.52%) children with more than one intestinal worm. 57.24% had lower, 41.4% had normal and only 1.4% had above normal BMI among infected children. Majority (65.9%) had normal, 27.2% had lower than normal, and 6.9% had above normal BMI found among non-infected children. Conclusion: From the results of present study it can be concluded that intestinal worms play significant role in reducing anthropometric measurement of school going children. The factors including personal hygiene, dietary habits, type of drinking water, animals and pets keeping, overcrowded and congested living environment, large family members, toilet facility, toilet trainings, personal hygiene awareness, PICA habits and lack of de-worming contributes largely towards the worm burden in the children. A single cause is not only the attributing factor to reduce the anthropometric measurements.