Ascaris lumbricoides among children in rural communities in the Northern Area, Pakistan: prevalence, intensity, and associated socio-cultural and behavioral risk factors.

The prevalence and intensity of Ascaris lumbricoides in 492 children from five rural villages in the Northern Area of Pakistan was examined. The overall prevalence of A. lumbricoides was 91% (95%CI 88.6-93.6) with geometric mean (GM) egg count intensities of 3985 eggs per g (epg). The most intense A. lumbricoides infections were found in children aged 5-8 years. We also investigated selected socio-cultural and behavioral variables for A. lumbricoides infections that might be relevant for the design of appropriate prevention and control programs. Univariate analysis associated A. lumbricoides intensity with age (P=0.004), location of household (P<0.01), defecation practices (P=0.02), soil eating habit (P<0.01), hand washing after defecation (P<0.01), and living with children under 5 years old (P=0.02). Multivariate analysis identified the children's age 5-8 (P<0.01), location of household in Surngo, Askole, and Stakchun where the pilot health care model activities were not done (P<0.01), and living with children under 5 years old (P=0.03) as variables statistically associated with the intensity of A. lumbricoides. The results indicated that there were certain clear risk factors in A. lumbricoides transmission, and that its intensity was influenced by age-related behavioral and environmental factors that contribute to exposure.