KNOWLEDGE REGARDING PREVENTION OF HELMINTHIC DISEASE AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN

Sushma Kumari Nursing Tutor, Department of Community Health Nursing, SMVDCoN, Kakryal, Katra. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History Received: 10 February 2021 Final Accepted: 16 March 2021 Published: April 202


ISSN: 2320-5407
Int. J. Adv. Res. 9(04), 435-439 436 Introduction:-Soil-transmitted helminth infections are among the most common infections worldwide and affect the poorest and most deprived communities. They are transmitted by eggs present in human faeces which in turn contaminate soil in areas where sanitation is poor. The main species that infect people are the roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), the whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) and hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale). More than 1.5 billion people, or 24% of the world's population, are infected with soil-transmitted helminth infections worldwide. Infections are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas, with the greatest numbers occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, China and East Asia. Over 267 million preschool-age children and over 568 million school-age children live in areas where these parasites are intensively transmitted, and are in need of treatment and preventive interventions. Globally over 600 million people are estimated to be infected by S. stercoralis however, since also this parasite is transmitted in areas where sanitation is poor, its geographical distribution overlaps with the one of the other soil-transmitted helminthiases.

Materials And Methods:-
A Quantitative research approach was adopted for the study. A descriptive research design was utilized to achieve the objective of the study. The study was conducted in the selected school of district Una that was Jai Bharat Public School Nari. Researcher's familiarity with setting and availability of required sample were also considered while selecting the study group. The target population is school children with the age group of 14-17 years in the selected school of village Nari. In the present study 100 sample were selected by using stratified sampling technique. Interview schedule with self structured knowledge questionnaire to assess the knowledge regarding prevention of helminthic diseases among school children. This section consist of 20 questions to assess the knowledge of students regarding prevention of helminthic diseases.

Knowledge of subjects was graded as given below.
Level of Awareness Score Poor 0-5 Fair 6-10 Good 11-15 Excellent 16-20 Demographic variables were collected by using interview technique. For descriptive research design, demographic variable, self structured knowledge questionnaire was collected. Data was collected from 100 school children with the age group of 14-17 year. After the data collection, informational booklet on preventive measures of helminthic diseases were provided to the students. Data collection procedure terminated by thanking the students for their cooperation.

Discussion:-
The study was conducted using a descriptive research design, subject were selected by stratified sampling technique. The sample size was 100.
The first objective of the study to assess the level of knowledge regarding preventive measures of helminthic diseases among school children. It revealed that majority 50 % of student had good level of knowledge, 28% of the students had poor level of knowledge, 20% of the students had good level of knowledge and only 2% of the students had excellent level of knowledge.
The second objective of the study was to find out the association with socio demographic variables: It reveal that in relation to age of student, obtained chi-square value (4.17) and the tabulated value ( 12.59) at statistically significant (p =0.05).So ,there is no association between the age of the student with the knowledge regarding preventive measures of helminthic diseases.
In relation to gender, the obtained chi-square value (11.121) and the tabulated value (7.82) at statistically significant (p=0.05). It can be concluded that the tabulated value is less than the calculated value. So, there is an association between the gender of children with the knowledge regarding preventive measures of helminthic diseases.
In relation to the educational status of father, the obtained chi-square value is ( 21.34) and the tabulated value (21.03) at statistically significant (p=0.05). It can be concluded that the tabulated value is less than the calculated value. So, there is an association between the educational status of father with the knowledge regarding preventive measures of helminthic diseases.
The educational status of mother, the obtained chi-square value is ( 18.23) and the tabulated value (21.03) at statistically significant (p=0.05). It can be concluded that the tabulated value is more than the calculated value.So,there is no association between the educational status of mother with the knowledge regarding preventive measures of helminthic diseases.
In relation to eating habits , the obtained chi-square value( 2.84)and tabulated value (7.82) at statistically significant (p=0.05). It can be concluded that the tabulated value is more than the calculated value.So,there is no association between the eating habits of family with the knowledge regarding preventive measures of helminthic diseases.
In relation to monthly family income , the obtained chi-square value( 3.934) and tabulated value 439 (16.92) at statistically significant (p=0.05). It can be concluded that the tabulated value is more than the calculated value.So,there is no association between the income status of family with the knowledge regarding preventive measures of helminthic diseases.
In relation to type of family , the obtained chi-square value ( 3.31)and tabulated value (7.82) at statistically significant (p=0.05). It can be concluded that the tabulated value is more than the calculated value. So, there is no association between the type of family with the knowledge regarding preventive measures of helminthic diseases.

Conclusion:-
From the findings of the study following conclusion were drawn: It was concluded that 50% children had fair knowledge regarding preventive measures of helminthic diseases. This indicates that chidren has no awareness regarding preventive measures of helminthic diseases.
There is association between demographic gender, educational status of father.