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Knowledge, Attitudes and Deworming Practice Regarding Soil-TransmittedHelminthiaisis among the Parents of School Going Children

Author(s)
Maheen Nazir Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Aqiba Malik Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Faizania Shabbir Department of Physiology Gujranwala Medical College, Gujranwala, Pakistan
Abstract
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and deworming practice regarding soil-transmitted helminthiasis among parents of school-going children in Rawalpindi. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at General Out- Patient Department (OPD) of Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, from 20th February 2019 to 15th July 2019. Materials and Methods: A pilot-tested, self-structured interview sheet was used to collect data from 350 parents who had at least one school going child. Non-probability consecutive sampling technique was used. Associations between socio-demographic variables and knowledge and between treatment beliefs and deworming practice were explored. The data analysis was done using statistical software program SPSS version 25.0. Results: Most of the participants (71.7%) had adequate overall knowledge about soil-transmitted helminthiasis. Majority (84.3%) believed soil-transmitted helminthiasis to be harmful for children's health and wanted more awareness to be raised about the topic. Significant associations were found between the better educational status of parents (p=0.040), family/friends as sources of information (p=0.000) and adequate knowledge about soil-transmitted helminthiasis. Parents who said it was safe to give deworming medicines to children without STH had significantly higher odds (4.513, p=0.000) of giving deworming medicines to their children than those parents who believed it to be unsafe. Conclusion: This study shows that most parents have adequate overall knowledge and correct attitude towards soil-transmitted helminthiasis. However, many parents have a misconception regarding the safety of deworming medicines and this significantly affects their deworming practice.
Publication Details
Page(s) 106-111
DOI DOI not available
Published Journal: Journal of Islamic International Medical College, Volume: 16, Issue: 2, Year: 2021

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Keywords
public health, Parents, Helminthiasis, Children's health
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