Parasitic infections and haemoglobin level among school children of different socioeconomic classes in Abha, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

A total of 717 school children from Abha region, from upper, middle and lower social classes [182, 405 and 130 respectively], were examined for parasitic infections and haemoglobin level. Giardia Lamblia was found to be the most common intestinal parasite among children of all classes, Entamoeba histolytica followed among children of middle class, and Hymenolepis nana among those of lower one. Anaemia was more prevalent among parasitically infected children particularly the multi-infected ones of the lower social class