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(12.8%). Hook worm was found in 6 2% and Trichuns in 5.2% of the children surveyed
(Reddy et aL,1998).
(ii) Indian scenario
In India, studies have shown that the prevalence is generally higher in children when
compared to adults as in most developing countries (Khan et e1.,1988,
Anonymous,l987; Baveja and Kaur,1987; Sharma and Mahadik.1988). Paras~tic
infections are also more common in rural areas (Nagoba et a1.,1992). The overall
prevalence in different parts of India varies from 16.8% to 62.3% (Baveja and
Kaur,l987; Sharma and Mahadik.1988). Some studies have revealed a higher
prevalence of protozoan parasites than intestinal helminths (Baveja and Kaur,1987,
Sharma and Mahadik.1988). According to Sharma and Mahad~k (1988), In rural
Rajasthan, the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica was 17.5% and Giardia 27.2%,
while that of both Ascans and Enterobius was 0.9% each. Baveja and Kaur (1987)
have also reported a h~gher prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica (10 0%) and Giardia
(7.5%) than Ascaris (1.4%) and Ankylostoma (1.2%) in Delhi. In ~ ral West Bengal,
Saha et a/. (1993) found a prevalence of 34.8% of Ascaris. 8.3% of hookworm, 29.2%
of Giadia and only 6.9% of Entamoeba histolytica. A study from Kamataka also
revealed a high prevalence of 46.9% for hookworm, 43.8% for Trichuns and 8 4% for
Ascaris (Subbannaya et a1.,1989) The prevalence of Ascaris, hookworm and Trichuns
~n rural Pondcherry was 10.1%, 4.8% and 5.4% respectrvely. In urban Pondicherry the
correspondtng prevalence rates were 1.8%, 0.2% and 2.8% respectively (Reddy and
Venkateavaralu, 1992).