Prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminthic Infections among Primary School Children in Jhansi District, Uttar Pradesh, India: Evaluating the Role of National Deworming Day Coverage, Mid-Day Meal Hygiene and Associated Risk Factors
Author : Dr. Dushyant Prakash and Priyanshu Kumar
Abstract :
Background: Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections are still among the most common infectious diseases worldwide, affecting an estimated 1.5 billion people, with school-aged children in tropical and subtropical regions bearing a inadequate share of the infection burden. The National Deworming Day (NDD) programme has been running across Uttar Pradesh since 2015, yet Jhansi district has never had a post-NDD parasitological survey to check whether the programme is actually working or what the current STH burden looks like.
Objectives: This observational and pilot study sets out to determine STH prevalence among primary school children aged 5–15 years in Jhansi district, work out species-specific distribution and infection intensity, evaluate how effective NDD has been, look at whether Mid-Day Meal participation correlates with STH-related nutritional outcomes, and analyze the socio-demographic and environmental risk factors involved.
Methods: An observational descriptive study has been made randomly to know the prevalence of STH infections and severity across the district. This study includes the informations from the related pre-existing research article. Stool samples are being examined by the WHO recommended method (KATO-KATZ) method. This study helps to make a clear vision against all the defined issues and objectives.
Expected Outcomes: This will be the first observational post-NDD baseline prevalence data on STH infections generated from Jhansi district. It will also examine how MDM participation relates to STH-associated nutritional status, and offer evidence-based recommendations for STH control and antibiotic stewardship across the Bundelkhand region especially in the Jhansi district.
Keywords :
Soil Transmitted Helminths, Ascaris lumbricoides, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, National Deworming Day, Kato-Katz, School Children, Bundelkhand, Mid-Day Meal, Albendazole, Observational survey.
