Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Mothers Regarding the Prevention and Control of Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Children Aged 2–6 Years in Rural Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
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Background: Intestinal parasitic infections remain an important public health concern among young children in rural communities, where prevention depends strongly on caregiver awareness, hygiene behavior, safe water use, food hygiene, and timely preventive care. Objective: To assess mothers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the prevention and control of intestinal parasitic infections among children aged 2–6 years in rural Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 265 mothers selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, knowledge-domain items, attitudes, and reported preventive practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, and categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages, while the overall attitude score was reported as mean ± standard deviation. Results: Most mothers were married 243 (91.7%), unemployed 191 (72.1%), and had limited formal education, with 87 (32.8%) reporting no formal education. Bacteria were reported as the known cause/type by 116 (43.8%) mothers, while contaminated soil contact was identified as a transmission route by 129 (48.7%). The mean attitude score was 15.64 ± 4.13, and 210 (79.2%) mothers were classified as having a positive attitude. Favorable practices included washing fruits and raw vegetables 214 (80.8%), cleaning utensils with soap 205 (77.4%), nail trimming 200 (75.5%), and handwashing before meals 198 (74.7%). Stool examination history 78 (29.4%) and preventive medication use 118 (44.5%) were less frequent. Conclusion: Mothers reported several favorable hygiene-related preventive practices and generally positive attitudes, but misconceptions regarding intestinal parasitic infections and limited use of stool examination and deworming indicate the need for targeted community-based health education in rural Lahore
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