Prevalence and Seasonal Variation of intestinal Parasites Among Primary School Children in Qalqilia District, Palestine

The prevalence and seasonal variations of intestinal parasitic infections were assessed among 1329 (667 males, 662 females) primary school children (6-12 years old) in Qalqilia District, during the period February- November 1999. Parasitologic examinations were performed on collected stool specimens using the (wet mount and Zinc sulfate flotation concentration methods). Data on socio-economic status, personal hygienic habits, sanitary facilities, parents educational levels and awareness about intestinal parasites of surveyed children were collected using a questionnaire. 405(30.5%) of the 1329 stool specimens examined were positive for one or more intestinal parasite; 50.2% of the cases were males and 49.8% were females. Etiological agents of intestinal parasitic infections were found in primary schoolchildren in the surveyed area included; Enterobius vermicularis 11.0%, Entameoba histolytica 7.1% and Giardia Lambilia 6.9% were the most prevalent intestinal parasites detected. The highest prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infections occurred in spring (April) (48.l%) and autumn (November) (27.8%). No significance difference in the prevalence rate was found between in the three localities surveyed. However, the highest incidence rate occurred in Azzun 36.0% followed by Qalqilia (30.4%) and Hableh (24.2%). Personal hygienic habits, sanitary facilities conditions, socio- economic status, parents’ educational levels and awareness about intestinal parasites were found to be strongly associated with the intestinal parasitic infections.