Intestinal parasitic infections among school children in Tripoli, Libya

An epidemiological survey was carried out in Tripoli district to collect baseline data on the prevalence of intestinal parasites. A sample of 486 school children aged from 5 to 14 years old provided morning stool samples as part of a pilot study of a larger national project. Questionnaires were distributed and general information on each child was recorded. Posters and leaflets were used extensively to increase the public health information and awareness about parasitosis. The results revealed that 14.6% of children were infected with at least one intestinal parasite. Double infections were in 2% of them. Giardia lainblia was the common parasite, followed by Enterobius vermicularis and then Ascaris lumbricoides. This was a preliminary approach to clarify the status on intestinal parasites since reliable reportable data being still comparatively lacking, which might be a guide for a feasible national control program

Demographic features of intestinal parasitic infection among Libyan children

The percentage of pathogenic intestinal parasites was determined among children with and without diarrhoea in Tripoli. The age of the children ranged from 1 month to 108 months. The percentage of Enterobiasis was not determined as it needs scotch tape preparation. After taking the verbal consent, from the parent, the selected children were divided into two groups with and without diarrhoea, interviewed by a structured questionnaire and then each subject in the study was provided with a clean, plastic container to collect the stool samples. Samples were examined using normal saline, iodine preparation and formal ether concentration technique was done. The total study group was 210 samples divided to two groups, 1st 110 children with diarrhoea [70 from Tripoli and 40 from outside Tripoli], and 2nd 100 without diarrhoea considered as control group [63 from Tripoli and 27 from outside Tripoli]. Age ranges from 1 to 108 months. The overall infection rate was 32.7% in the first group, and 29% in the second group. Results showed no significant difference between the two groups and gender [p value was 0.86 and 0.38 respectively]; while showed significant difference in age groups and place of residence inside or outside Tripoli [p value was 0.0001 and 0.001 respectively]. In the light of our study results, we concluded that there is a high prevalence of parasitic infection, also reveals trends in the occurrence of specific parasites. G. lamblia was the predominant protozoa noted whereas A. lumbricoides was the commonest helminthic infection found. Community approach and a planed strategy for intervention including health education program should be designed and implemented to control parasitic infections