Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among school children of Al-Mahweet Governorate, Yemen

Intestinal parasitic infection is one of the ten top major public health problems in developing countries, including Yemen. Epidemiological parasitology study of the prevalence and distribution of intestinal parasitic infections among primary schools pupils (aged 7-15 years), was conducted in six primary schools in the period between March and November 2012 in Al-Mahweet Governorate, Yemen in order to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among primary school children. 200 pupils were selected by using multi-stages sampling technique with the targeted schools in the study area. Stool samples were collected and examined by the Kato-Katz technique and direct method. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the study subjects and microscopic examination of stool was done. Chi-square was used to determine if there was any relationship between age and sex on the occurrence of the intestinal parasitic infections. The overall prevalence rate in the present study was 90%. Nine species of intestinal parasitic were identified. The most common diagnosed were Entamoeba histolytica cysts (64%), Schistosoma mansoni (36.5%), amorphous amoebae (22.5%), Trichuris trichiura (18%) and Enterobius vermicularis (13%). Multiple intestinal parasitic infections were recorded (75.5%) having the highest prevalence among the children. Male (46.5%) were more infected than female (43.5%). Also, there was a difference in the percentage of infections observed among the different age groups of the studied children. The study revealed that poor hygienic practices and unsanitary condition were responsible for the high prevalence of intestinal parasites. Deworming of the primary school children and health education on proper hygiene are recommended.