Prevalence and Correlates of Soil Transmitted Helminthic Parasitic Infections among Patients in A Tertiary Care Centre in Dibrugarh, Assam
Background: Helminthic infections are a major public health issue in developing countries, affecting millions of people worldwide. Previous studies have reported high prevalence rates of helminth infections, particularly in children and vulnerable populations.Helminth infections continue to pose a significant public health challenge in developing countries, particularly among children and vulnerable populations. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of helminth infections in a population of 2200 individuals and investigate possible associations with gender, age inpatient and outpatient. Results: We found a helminth prevalence of 3.86%, with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most common parasite identified, followed by Ankylostoma duodenale, Trichuris trichuria, Strongyl oides stercoralis, and Enterobius vermicularis. Mixed infections were observed in 10.9% of the cases, with Ankylostoma duodenale and Strongy loides stercoralis being the most common combination. Males constituted 62.35% of the infected cases, and inpatient cases constituted 85.85% of the infected cases. The highest number of cases was found in the age group of 10-14 years. Our study highlights the significant burden of helminth infections in the population and underscores the need for effective prevention and control strategies. Conclusion: Our study highlights the significant burden of helminth infections in the population, particularly in developing countries. Effective prevention and control strategies, tailored to specific risk factors, are urgently needed to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these infections.