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Knowledge of mothers regarding helminth infections and patterns of anthelminthic usage in children

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dc.contributor.author Perera, P.
dc.contributor.author Dissanayaka, D.
dc.contributor.author Fernando, M.
dc.contributor.author Ranathanga, N.
dc.date.accessioned 2016-03-28T11:00:33Z
dc.date.available 2016-03-28T11:00:33Z
dc.date.issued 2012
dc.identifier.citation Sri Lanka Medical Association, 125th International Medical Congress. 2012;57 Suppliment1: 73 en_US
dc.identifier.issn 0009-0895
dc.identifier.uri http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/12379
dc.description Poster Presentation Abstract (PP 09), 125th Anniversary Scientific Medical Congress, Sri Lanka Medical Association, June 2012 Colombo, Sri Lanka en_US
dc.description.abstract INTRODUCTION: Intestinal helminth infections are a global problem. There are lot of misbelieves among people regarding helminth infections, which often leads to inappropriate use of anthelmintics. AIMS: To assess the knowledge of mothers regarding helminth infections and to describe the patterns of anthelmintic usage in children. METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out at University Paediatric unit. Teaching hospital Ragama, during September 2011 to November 2011. Two Hundred children and their mothers admitted to the Paediatrics university unit with at least one child above 18 months were recruited with informed written consent. Socio-demographic data, availability of sanitary facilities and safe drinking water, knowledge on intestinal infections and practices related to anthelmintic treatment were collected using a pretested Interviewer administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Nearly all families had access to a safe toilet and 62% had safe drinking water. 84% of children had regular anthelmintic treatment and out of them 39.3% had 3 monthly, 55.3% six monthly and 5.3% annually. Out of them only 81.4% had risk factors to get helminth infections, while 36,9% had no evidence in the past of worm infection. There was no statistically significant association between regular anthelmintics usage and presence of risk factors (odds ratio 1.799, CI 0.849-3.815). Knowledge of mothers regarding transmission of worm infections and clinical features was poor. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the high literacy rate among Sri Lankan mothers knowledge about worm infections was surprisingly poor. A lot of children are receiving unnecessary anthelmintic treatment. Health education programs addressing these issues are indicated. en_US
dc.language.iso en_US en_US
dc.publisher Sri Lanka Medical Association en_US
dc.subject helminth infection en_US
dc.title Knowledge of mothers regarding helminth infections and patterns of anthelminthic usage in children en_US
dc.type Article en_US


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