Parasitic Profile among Primary School Children in a Rural Area at Beheira Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Parasitic infection is still a serious public health problem in the world, especially in developing countries including Egypt. It represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood and among high-risk groups in most parts of the world. Objectives: This study aimed to detect the prevalence of parasitic infection and degree of anemia and eosinophilia among primary school children of two governmental schools in a rural area at Damanhour Center, Beheira Governorate, Egypt during the period from October, 2016 to April, 2017. Methods: Randomly chosen (600) students aged from (6 – 12) years, (394 males and 206 females were subjected to: A questionnaire sheet, stool examination using: Direct smear and concentration techniques (formol ether sedimentation and simple flotation), urine examination, NIH swab for diagnosis of E. vermicularis eggs as well as complete blood count examination. Results: The overall prevalence of parasitic infection reached 38.3% (27.8% in males and 10.5% in females) with a prevalence rate of (22.5%), (12.8%) and (3%) for helminthic, ptotozoal and mixed infections respectively. The identified parasites were E. vermicularis (11.8%), H. nana (7.2%), G. lamblia (6.8%), E. histolytica/dispar (6%), S. mansoni (1.7%), A. lumbricoides (1.2%), T. trichiura (0.3 %) and S. haematobium (0.3 %) while,mixed infection reached (3%). The eggs of E. vermicularis were found in both urine and stool specimens of three girls only. Prevalence of anemia among all studied children reached (41.8%); (67.8%) in infected children compared to (25.7%) in non-infected children while eosinophilia was (6%); (14.3%) in infected children compared to (0.8%) in non-infected children with statistically significant difference. There was a significant correlation between parasitic infection and headache, fatigue, pallor, loss of appetite, abdominal colic, perianal itching, diarrhea, pitryasis alba, loss of weight and salivation during sleeping. Also, there was a significant association between parasitic infection and some bad hygienic habits as un-proper hand washing and hygiene, swimming in canals, un- trimming of finger nails and un-proper washing of vegetables and fruits. Conclusion: Rural residency, bad hygiene and low social class were the most significant risk factors associated with parasitic infections.