Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Children and Young Adolescents Visiting Provincial Headquarter Hospital in Gilgit, Pakistan and their Associated Factors
Keywords:
Parasitic infections, Ascariasis, GiardiasisAbstract
Objective: To detect the frequency and species distribution of intestinal parasites among children and young adolescents visiting a provincial Headquarter Hospital in Gilgit, Pakistan and determine their association with socio-demographic and environmental factors
Methodology: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was done among patients visiting the Provincial Headquarter Hospital in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan after ethical approval. The study duration was 6 months from August 2024 to January 2025. After taking informed consent, 227 children and young adolescents with ages ranging from 1 to 18 years were included using non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire including demographic factors, hygiene practices, healthcare access, and other relevant factors. Specimen bottles labeled with participant names and identification numbers were provided to parents and they were guided for stool sample collection. The collected specimens were processed in the Pathology Department of a healthcare facility for stool routine analysis. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.
Results: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) were present in 74(32.6%) children and young adolescents. Ascaris lumbricoides (46%) and Giardia lamblia (29.7%) were the most prevalent intestinal parasites. Access to clean drinking water and hygienic conditions had a significant relation with IPIs (p-value=0.001). No significant association was seen with other variables such as gender, age, education level, and family income.
Conclusion: Intestinal parasitic infections were prevalent in 32.6% children and young adolescents. Ascaris lumbricoides and Giardia lamblia were the most common parasites. There was a statistically significant influence of environmental factors, particularly access to clean drinking water and poor personal hygienic conditions, on the frequency of these infections.
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