Prevalence and Risk Factors of Intestinal Helminth Infections among City Dwellers of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Aims: The aim of the study was to determine intestinal helminth prevalence and risk factors among urban dwelling people of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: A total of 78 stool samples were collected from the residents of Shantinagar area of Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2019 to August 2019. Methodology: The respondents were requested to provide their stool samples in supplied container and to fill up a questionnaire regarding their demographic background and household practices. Formol Ether Concentration technique was applied to process the stool samples. Results: Of the 78 respondents, 42 (53.85%) were infected with at least one helminth. Ascaris lumbricoides (23.08%) showed the highest prevalence following Taenia sp. (11.54%). Education, pattern of consuming antihelminthic drugs, trends of footwear use, eating raw vegetables and undercooked meat were significant risk factors. Respondents who had idea about transmission mode of parasites showed high prevalence of intestinal helminths. Enteric troubles were noticed among the helminth infected respondents. Conclusion: Increase of hygiene practices among the urban dwellers is essential.