Prevalence and Distribution of Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) among Asymptomatic School Going Children in South Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Soil transmitted helminth (STH ) infections represent a major health problem in poor and developing countries. We conducted a pilot study to determine the prevalence of STH among school going children of Kancheepuram district. Three hundred and fifty eight children in the age group of 5-10 years were examined for STH. One hundred and fourteen of the 358 (40%) were tested positive for various intestinal helminths. The various intestinal helminths are Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Taenia species. At least one intestinal helminth was detected in 25.13% (90/358) children and multiple helminth infestation was recorded in 15.08% (54/358). The most common parasitic helminth was A. lumbricoides 60% (84/144) followed by T. trichiura 4.17% (6/144). A. lumbricoides was found as single type infection as well as in association with other helminths in mixed type infection. This study emphasizes the need for improved sanitation and better living conditions for the school-age children in rural areas.