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A study was made in Cholburi Province, Thailand, to correlate parasitic infections with the general health status. Stool, blood, urine, and physical examinations were done on 387 school children and 60 adult government officials in urban areas. In addition, stools of 219 people from rural areas were examined for helminths.
In the urban population, Ascaris was the prevalent parasite in both adults and children. In the rural population, hookworm infection predominated at all ages. In all the places studied, there was a gradual increase in incidence of hookworm and a decrease in incidence of Ascaris infection up to 14 years of age. An increase with age in number of hookworm was also found by egg-counts made on a representative sample.
Children with positive stools had a mean lower height and weight than those found to be negative. The differential leucocyte count showed no consistent differences except for a marked eosinophilia in all types of helminth infection. Scabies, trachoma, ear and throat infections were common among children but virtually absent among adult Provincial officers. No obvious relationship was observed between parasitic infections, oral temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate and blood pressure.
1 The authors wish to express their appreciation to Dr. E. R. Coffey, Medical Officer in Charge, STEM to Thailand and to Dr. Svasti Daengsvang, Deputy Director General, Department of Health, Thai Ministry of Health for their interest and cooperation during the course of this study. The authors are also indebted to Dr. V. J. DePaulo, Surgeon (R), Public Health Service for carrying out the physical examinations referred to in this study.
2 Scientist, Division of International Health, Public Health Service.
3 Medical Officer, Department of Health, Thai Ministry of Public Health.
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