A PILOT STUDY: WORM INFESTATION IN CHILDREN LESS THAN 5 YEARS OF AGE LIVING IN A SLUM
Abstract
Parasitic diseases persistently remain to be one of the major public health problems worldwide. International estimates indicate that more than half of the total population are affected from parasitic infections majority being... [ view full abstract ]
Parasitic diseases persistently remain to be one of the major public health problems worldwide. International estimates indicate that more than half of the total population are affected from parasitic infections majority being children. Among these diseases, infections due to intestinal parasites are most commonly present in developing countries. These infections occur mainly due to the use of contaminated drinking water, bad sanitary conditions and poor personal hygiene. Worm infestation is one of the major health problems in Pakistan.
This cross cross-sectional was conducted in one of the urban suburbs of Karachi using convenient sampling method data was collected to assess the level of awareness, attitude and practices of community mothers about the worm infestation and to understand the causative factors developing worm infestation.
The study reveals that majority of community was having less knowledge about the causation and prevention of worm infestation. About 90% population was using un-boiled water and 98% people were receiving contaminated water. Only 2% households were taking care of safe disposal of garbage. About 98% were having gutter system and were not connected with sewerage system. 50% children wash hands with water without using soap after defecation and about 90% before having meals. About 77% do not wear the footwear. Only about 53% children use home prepared food items. 20% of the children eat clay or sand, 24% households were having animals inside the home. About 4% women were unaware of child’s hygiene and 50% were not practicing whatever they knew about hygiene, the reasons were ignorance and poverty.
Severe problem of lack of awareness in knowledge of community mothers related to worm infestation has been noticed. The ultimate effect of poor awareness is reflecting obviously on their attitude and practices.
Key words: worm infestation, slums, children, poverty, lack of awareness, community hygiene, infection
Authors
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muhammad yousuf
(Aga)
Topic Areas
III. Infectious and Communicable Diseases 3.1 Infectious diseases and their relations to c , V. Healthcare Service 5.1 Accessibility of healthcare services and its optimization 5.2 He , II. Urban Health at the intersection of urban environment, social determinants and places , IV. Urbanism, Health and Wellbeing 4.1 Built environment 4.2 Pollution: air, noise, etc
Session
UH-HS-O-02 » Urban Health - Healthcare Service - 02 (14:00 - Saturday, 2nd April, TBA)
Paper
ABSTRACTworm_infestation_ICUH.doc
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