Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infection and Its Side Effect in School Aged Children in Our Local Region

Abstract

Background: The presence of intestinal protozoal infections and parasites is a common and important health problem in our developed country. Our aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and protozoa in primary school children, and relationships between the prevalence and family socio-economic status. Patients and Methods: The study population was randomly selected from two schools (rural and urbans), from April 2013 to September 2014. A total of 132 learners (85 boys and 47 girls) participated in this research. One of the selected school was a college (S1) and the other one was local goverment school (S2). The children weight, z scores, blood hemoglobin level and family properties such as fathers’ employment, etc. have been researched. Parasitological data were collected by analyzing stool samples using Formalin ethyl acetate concentration technique by the department of Biochemistry laboratory in The Goverment Hospital. Symptoms, socio-economic and epidemiologic data were collected by means of a pretested structured questionnaire. Results: Out of 132 learners analyzed, 44.6% stool samples were positive for ova and cysts of which 34.4% were known pathogenic parasites. The most common parasite was Giardia intestinalis followed by Dientamoeba fragilis, and Enterobius vermicularis. Occurrence of Blastocystis hominis, H. nana, Taenia spp, and Fasciola spp is low. Our findings showed that there was a significant difference in parasitic infections between S1 and S2 school. Significant associations between parasitic infections and children’s family educations were observed. The mean hemoglobin concentration was 96 g/L (7 ± 1.1) and the prevalence of parasitic infections was more than 40 in rural area school children (in S1 school). In total, 41.6.2% of children were hungry when they arrived at school from S1. Over 5% of mothers and 12% of fathers were illiterate. Conclusion: Our study results demonstrated that parasitic infections in school children were found to be a common and a severe public health problem. Diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss were the main symptoms. Lower socio-economic condition and poor sanitation were the main risk factors. In our opinion, the department of Public Heart Centers should explain the reasons to family for preventing intestinal parasitic disease, and explain hygienic conditions importance, and application of supportive programs for the parents.