Publication:

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients of a tertiary hospital in Ambala city, Haryana, India

Background Intestinal parasitic infestation is major public health problem in the world. Gastrointestinal (GI) protozoa and helminthes flourish in settings characterized by warm temperatures, humidity, poor sanitation, dirty water, and substandard and crowded housing. Various sanitation programmes are launched in India from time to time. Our present study was conducted to know the prevalence of Intestinal parasitism among patients with gastrointestinal symptoms in rural area surrounding Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India; which will tell us about the effect of these sanitation programmes in this area.

Methods The present study was conducted between November 2010 to August 2012 in the Department of Microbiology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana. Specimen was stool of the patient. The study was conducted on 500 consecutive stool samples received in the Department of Microbiology and processed as per departmental protocol.

Results Total of 500 consecutive stool samples were processed within a period of 21 months (November 2010 to August 2012). The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infections was 7.8%. Giardia lamblia 12 (30.76) was the most common parasite followed by E. histolytica 7(17.9) among protozoa and H.nana 4(10.25) followed by Ascaris lumbricoids 3(7.69) among helminths.

Conclusions The decrease in prevalence of intestinal parasites especially in soil-transmitted helminths in patients attending hospital evidences the success of sanitation programmes, health education, improved sanitation and a healthy lifestyle.