Incidence of Tapeworm Infection in Human Population of Swat, Pakistan: An Occupation Based Study
Incidence of Tapeworm Infection in Human Population of Swat, Pakistan: An Occupation Based Study
Wali Khan1,*, Noor-Un-Nisa2 and Muhammad Asif Nawaz3
ABSTRACT
Diseases caused by tapeworms remain a public health problem in low and middle-income countries including Pakistan. The current study was aimed to assess the prevalence of Taenia saginata and Hymenolepis nana (tapeworms) infections among farmers, education concerned and shepherds of Swat, Pakistan. A total of 1041 stool samples were examined from January 2006 to December 2008 using direct smear and concentration methods. Two hundred and twenty one (21.2%) participants were found infected with one or more than one intestinal tapeworms. Seventy seven (7.39%) of the participants were infected with single parasite and one hundred forty four (13.8%) with multiple infections. Taenia saginata 32.6% (n=146/447), Ascaris lumbricoides 20.3% (n=91/447), Hymenolepis nana 19.7% (n=88/447), Trichuris trichura 14.3% (n=64/447), Enterobius vermicularis 6.48% (n=29/447), Ancylostoma duodenale 2.90% (n=13/447), Entamoeba histolytica 2.68% (n=12/447), and Giardia lamblia/intestinalis 0.89%(n=4/447) were detected in order of their prevalence. The individuals below 15 years of age were found marginally more parasitized than above 15 years (0.3856, P<0.05). Males were more infected than females with (0.3157, P<0.05). No significant association was found among the occupational groups and parasitic infection (0.3089, P<0.05). However, shepherds were found more infected than farmers and education concerned. Due to comparative based approach in different occupational groups the present study is of particular interest. Such studies should be continue time to time to know the hazardous of potentially important pathogenic parasitic infections particularly in remote parts of the country.
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April 2018
Vol. 50, Iss. 2, Pages 401-797
