Intestinal parasitic infections among school children of Northern Kathmandu, Nepal

To find out the prevalence of parasitic infection among school aged children and to make necessary recommendations for preventive measures. The stool samples were examined for evidence of parasitic infections by direct microscopy and confirmed by concentration methods (formal ether sedimentation technique). Among 300 samples, 15 (5.00%) were found to be positive for Entamoeba histolytica 5 (1.67%) followed by parasite Giardia lamblia 4 (1.33%), by parasite Ascaris lumbricoides 3 (1.00%) by parasite Hymenolepis nana 2 (0.67%), by Cyclospora 1 (0.33%). Major contributors for the prevalence of parasites were found to be poor personal hygiene and the educational level of the children. This should be regarded as an issue of public health priority and demand for effective school health programs involving periodic health education and screening.