Intestinal parasitic infections among primary school children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among primary school children, were studied by selection of seven male and seven female schools to cover different parts of Jeddah city. A total of 1000 questionnaire were distributed to primary school children, filled by the child's guardian and stool samples were collected from those who agreed to participate in the study. Two hundred and thirty one stool samples were collected. These were analyzed by the formaline-ether technique. Of the 231 stool samples, only 22 (9.5%) samples had parasites. Giardia lamblia was the most reported parasite. Double infection was seen in only 3 samples. The low prevalence of intestinal parasites among the study group reflects the outstanding health and hygienic care in primary schools visited.