A Study on the Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Elementary School Students at a District (Silvana) In Urmia, West Azerbaijan

According to the increasing rate of intestinal parasitic infection in rural areas compared to urban areas, this study deals with the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in elementary school students in Silvana rural district.

350 students of both sexes were selected randomly. All samples were studied with routine parasitology methods, such as wet mount method and formalin – ether concentration. Microscopic examination of Enterobius vermicularis and Taenia saginata eggs carried out with 10 and 40 lenses.

The study showed that the total prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections is 52%,And prevalence of protozoan infections (50.57%) is more than helminthes infection (Oxyuris 24.9%, Ascaris 0.28%, Hymenolepis nana 1.14%).Relative frequencies of intestinal protozoan were as follows: Giardia lamblelia (37.57%), Entamoeaba coli (26.86%), Iodamoeba butchlii (8%), Blastocystis hominis (4.28%). The study showed a significant opposite correlation between mother’s education and prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in subjects (P- value = 0.03).

The result of the present study indicated the high prevalence of protozoan infections and Oxyuriasis in this area. Other studies and present study indicate the world wide spread of intestinal parasitic infections.