Worm Infestation among Children of Rural Area of Central Punjab

Aim: To determine the frequency of worm infestation among the children of Union Council Mangri, Tehsil Shakargarh, District Narowal. Methodology: It was cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on 97 children living in Union Council Mangri, Tehsil Shakargarh, District Narowal using non-probability convenient sampling. Pretested questionnaire was used to collect demographic data and microscopic examination of stool for ova and parasite for was done. Study was conducted during months of AugustSeptember 2011. Results: Response was collected from 97 mothers of children under 12 years of age among whom 58 (59.8%) were male and 39(40.2%) children were female. Stool microscopic examination revealed 12(12.4%) having worm infestation while no parasite or ova found in 85(87.6%) children. Among 12 infested children, hookworm ova were found in 5(41.7%), roundworms 4(33.3%), tapeworms 3(25%). Conclusion: Despite the regular program of deworming the children during mother child week in Punjab, worm infestation still needs response and effective interventions.