Study of the Parasitic Infections of School Children in Rural Areas of Hamadan

Abstract

A cross sectional study was carried out in order to assess the parasitic infections of school children in rural areas of Hamadan. A total of 906 school children , 6 to 15 years old , from 9 villages in Hamadan were selected randomly for parasite examination. Parasitological examination of stool and eggs count were carried out by formalin – ether concentration and modified stoll’s technique , respectively. The results showed that total prevalence of intestinal parasites were 86%. The highest prevalence of helminthic infections and pathogenic protozoa were Ascaris Lumbricoides (39.6%) and Giardia Lamblia (20.5%). Distribution of parasites according to sex was not significantly different. Mean ± S.D of intensity of Ascaris Lumbricoides was 17235±22008 with maximum 163000 eggs per gram faeces. Mean±S.D of intensity of Trichuris Trichiura was 1227±3173 with the maximum 25000 eggs per gram faeces. Mean ± S.D of intensity of Hymenolepis Nana was 4320±7160. The mean intensity was higher in male than female.

Keywords

• helminthiasis – epidemiology / protozoan infections – epidemiology / students