Knowledge and practice of Caregivers about Intestinal Parasitic Infestations at EL- Minia City

Abstract

Intestinal infestations are amongst the common infections worldwide, it is estimated that about 3.5 billion people are affected, and that 450 million are ill as a result of these infestations, lead to physical and mental health problems such as iron deficiency anaemia, growth retardation, and lack of concentration the majority are being children that .Aim of the study: The study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of caregivers about intestinal parasitic infestations at EL-Minia City. Subjects and methods: Descriptive research design was used in this study to identify the knowledge and practices of caregivers about intestinal parasitic infestations; the study was conducted in four primary governmental   schools. These were Saad Zaglol, Tark ebn Ziad, Elfath and EL-shaheed schools at    EL-Minia city.  Tool of the study included a structured interview sheet  it include two parts a) the demographic characteristics it includes (child age, child sex, residence, education and occupation of caregivers …….etc)The Caregivers knowledge regarding the intestinal infestation and consists of the following: (definition, types of intestinal worm, cycle of Pin worm and Ascariasis, mode of transmission, prevention, treatment B: The second tool (observational check list): was developed for assessing house environmental sanitation and assessing the caregiver's practices. Results: There was a highly statistically significant difference between the caregivers’ and their knowledge about intestinal infestation. Also, there with highly statistically significant difference between caregivers and their practices this study found that significant improvement of knowledge, practices of caregivers regarding intestinal parasitic infestations. Recommendations: Encourage the role of the community health nurse in health education for prevention and controlling of intestinal infestation.

Keywords: intestinal infestation, caregiver knowledge. Practices