Worm Infestation: What do Mothers know in urban slum area of Vadodara? Dr. Samarth Shihora Dr. Kalpita Shringarpure Dr. Bharati Makwana Dr. J. R. Damor Dr. V. S. Mazumdar Dr. R. K. Baxi Medical College Baroda

Introduction

Parasitic worms (helminths), such as soil transmitted helminths continue to affect millions of people today. Improvement had been made to reduce helminths transmission in many parts of world, but worm infestations continue to be a major issue of public health and socio-economic concern.

WHO expert committee has made a global strategy for prevention and control of worm infestations. Little improvement has been done for clean water supply, sanitation and hygiene. However, local knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of parasitic worms are poorly understood, although such information is required for prevention and sustainable control.

Objectives

With regards to worm infestation: To evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers with children less than 6 years age To associate their level of knowledge, attitude and practice with their educational status and other factors.

Methodology

Type of study: Cross sectional Study settings: Field practice area of Urban Health Training Centre(UHTC), Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Medical College Baroda Study population: All mothers having children less than 6 years of age Study period: December 2013

Inclusion criteria: All mother residing in field practice area of UHTC Having at least one child under 6 years of age Who gave verbal consent Data collection: Using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire imparted in local simple language. Data thus collected was entered in Microsoft Office Excel 2007. Statistical analysis: Descriptive and Analytical statistics done using Epi-Info 7.0.8.0

Results

Demographic Profile Parameters Variable Frequency (n=361) Percentage (%) Age (in years) ≤25 155 43 >25 206 57 Literacy Illiterate 166 46 Literate* 195 54 No. of children ≤2 198 55 >2 163 45 Religion Hindu 78 22 Muslim 283

Awareness about worm infestation

Knowledge about risk factors *Multiple answers

Knowledge about symptoms *Multiple answers

Attitude Towards Treatment

Practices for Prevention *Multiple answers

Association of Age with Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Age group (in years) n=295 ≤25 (118) >25 (177) Chi-square value p-value Awareness about worm infestation 76% 86% 5.0414 0.0247 Knowledge about risk factors 51% 60% 1.0548 0.3043 Knowledge about symptoms 87% 93% 2.3255 0.1272 Attitude towards treatment of worms 94% 95% 0.2531 0.6149 Practice to prevent worms 42% 43% 0.0052 0.9425

Association of Literacy with Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Literate (159) Illiterate (136) Chi-square value p-value Awareness about worm infestation 83% 80% 0.7792 0.3777 Knowledge about risk factors 45% 53% 1.6974 0.1926 Knowledge about symptoms 89% 93% 1.4254 0.2325 Attitude towards treatment of worms 96% 95% 0.0006 0.9799 Practice to prevent worms 41% 0.4845 0.4863

Association of Parity with Knowledge, Attitude and Practice No. of children n=295 ≤2 (155) >2 (140) Chi-square value p-value Awareness about worm infestation 77% 85% 1.0175 0.3130 Knowledge about risk factors 43% 55% 4.0589 0.0439 Knowledge about symptoms 86% 89% 0.5256 0.4684 Attitude towards treatment of worms 94% 96% 0.3936 0.5300 Practice to prevent worms 42% 44% 0.7723

Conclusion

Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding worm infestation is lacking in mothers of this UHTC area. Mothers >25 years of age have significantly more awareness about worm infestation. Mothers having more than two children have more knowledge about risk factors while other factors were not significantly associated.

Recommendation

Increasing awareness about worm infestation with IEC activities can help in improving Knowledge, attitude and practice towards worm infestation.

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