Prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infection in basic school children in Sana'a Yemen

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasitic infection is the most common endemic infection worldwide and represent major public health problems, mainly in developing countries like Yemen.Aim: The study aim is to identify the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infection among basic school children in Sana'a city Yemen.Methods: A crosssectional descriptive study involved 500 basic school children was conducted from April to May 2013. 500. Stool specimens were collected from all participants and examined for intestinal parasitic infection using direct microscopy, wet concentration method then sedimentation method. Data entered and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infection among the participants was 31.2% and it was higher in Azal district 35.5%. The predominant parasites were Giardia Lambela 48%. The highest prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection 34.4% was among participants from public school and lesser 10.4% among participants from private school. The result was statistically significant (P>0.001). Prevalence of intestinal parasite infection was found among participants for illiterate mothers to be 35.1%, it was high 36% if there is only one bath room in house and the result was statistically significant (P>0.001). Prevalence of intestinal parasite infection 63% was among participants who did not follow hand washing practice after defecation and the result was statistically significant (P>0.001). Most of participants 70.6% don’t have water supply during observation. Conclusions: Intestinal parasites were prevalent in varying magnitude among the schoolchildren. The prevalence of infections were higher for protozoa compared to helminthes. Measures including education on personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, water supply and treatment should be taken into account to reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasites