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<p>Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a major health concern in low- and middle-income countries like Nepal. This cross-sectional study, conducted from January to June 2021 in Kavrepalanchok District, Nepal, evaluated IPI prevalence and risk factors among school-going children. Fecal samples from 195 children and 41 environmental samples (soil, vegetables, water) were analyzed using direct wet mount, formal-ethyl acetate sedimentation, flotation, and modified acid-fast staining techniques, with sociodemographic and risk factor data collected via questionnaires. The overall IPI prevalence was 13.85%, slightly higher in urban (14.40%) than rural (12.86%) areas (<i>p</i> = 0.765). Protozoa, particularly <i>Entamoeba</i> spp. (62.86%; 66.67% rural, 60.87% urban), predominated, with its presence in environmental samples (water, soil, vegetables) indicating transmission through contaminated sources. Helminths (e.g., <i>Ascaris</i> spp.) were also detected. Nail-biting (<i>p</i> = 0.0417) and consumption of raw vegetables (<i>p</i> = 0.0225) showed significant associations with IPIs in rural settings, while abdominal pain symptoms (<i>p</i> = 0.0058) were significantly linked to IPIs across all participants. Logistic regression identified abdominal pain (AOR = 6.658, 95% CI 1.405–31.562, <i>p</i> = 0.017) as the only significant predictors of IPI, with all other assessed behavioral and environmental factors showing no statistically significant associations. Enhanced water sanitation, and hygiene education are essential to disrupt environmental transmission cycle of <i>Entamoeba</i> spp. and reduce IPI burden in Nepal.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Intestinal Parasites in School Children in Rural and Urban Areas in Kavrepalanchok, Nepal

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月25日

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  • Prabin Chaudhary,
  • Gopiram Syangtan,
  • Bhupendra Lama,
  • Dhiraj Thapa Magar,
  • Shiba Kumar Rai,
  • Tirth Raj Ghimire

摘要

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a major health concern in low- and middle-income countries like Nepal. This cross-sectional study, conducted from January to June 2021 in Kavrepalanchok District, Nepal, evaluated IPI prevalence and risk factors among school-going children. Fecal samples from 195 children and 41 environmental samples (soil, vegetables, water) were analyzed using direct wet mount, formal-ethyl acetate sedimentation, flotation, and modified acid-fast staining techniques, with sociodemographic and risk factor data collected via questionnaires. The overall IPI prevalence was 13.85%, slightly higher in urban (14.40%) than rural (12.86%) areas (p = 0.765). Protozoa, particularly Entamoeba spp. (62.86%; 66.67% rural, 60.87% urban), predominated, with its presence in environmental samples (water, soil, vegetables) indicating transmission through contaminated sources. Helminths (e.g., Ascaris spp.) were also detected. Nail-biting (p = 0.0417) and consumption of raw vegetables (p = 0.0225) showed significant associations with IPIs in rural settings, while abdominal pain symptoms (p = 0.0058) were significantly linked to IPIs across all participants. Logistic regression identified abdominal pain (AOR = 6.658, 95% CI 1.405–31.562, p = 0.017) as the only significant predictors of IPI, with all other assessed behavioral and environmental factors showing no statistically significant associations. Enhanced water sanitation, and hygiene education are essential to disrupt environmental transmission cycle of Entamoeba spp. and reduce IPI burden in Nepal.

Graphical Abstract