Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among primary school children at Al-Montazah east primary health care educational centre catchment area, Hail region

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to assess the prevalence of different types of intestinal parasites and their effect on primary school children at the catchment area of Primary Health Care Centre in Hail Region to make an epidemiologic data base line in order to put the control plan for the problem. Two hundred and twenty seven primary school children were selected by systematic random sampling. They were interviewed at their schools to fill predesigned forms. Samples of urine, stool and 5 cc venous blood - after consent of the children's parents - were collected from each interviewed child to be thoroughly examined. The study revealed that 26.0% of the selected children were infested with different parasites where the most prevalent one was Giardia lamblia [16.3%]. The parasitic affection was non significantly [P > 0.05] more prevalent among younger male children. The weight per age was significantly lowered among infected children than non infected [P < 0.05] while height / age was not affected by parasitic infection. Also, there was a strong association [P < 0.05] between parasitic infestation and anaemia