Prevalence of ascaris lumbricoides in children admitted to the paediatric observation ward Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

500 children attending the Paediatric Observation Ward at the Kenyatta National Hospital were investigated for intestinal helminths, during the period 12/2/84 to 9/4/84. 59 of these children were found to harbour Ascaris lumbricoides, making the prevalence rate in this study 11.8%. Egg counts were done in 1 cases, using the Kato Thick Smear Method. 11 of these had heavy infestations characterized by egg counts well above 10,000 eggs/gm of faeces. The children's ages ranged from 4 days to 12 years. Those in the age group 2-10 years were the most affected while those aged below one year were the least affected. There was no significant difference in the infestation rate between males and females. Other helminths found in the study were Trichuris trichiuria,hookworm, schistosoma mansoni, strongyloides stercoralis and hymenolepis nana. Their prevalence rates ranged from 0.2% to 3.8%. There was no marked difference clinically, in the nutritional status between those children with intestinal helminths and those without . No significant difference was noted in the rate of infestation in those children who had either the pit latrines or the flush toilets in their homes. Only one child, out of six children who had no toilets at home, was found to nave A. lumbricoides.