Study on the Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites Among Children Attending Al-Daura Health Centre-Baghdad

Abstract

Abstract The present study on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection from July 2003 to July 2004 ,was conducted among children aged(less than 5 -14 )years attending AL-Daura Health Centre in Baghdad City .(350) specimen were choosen randomly and examined, 160(45.7%) of these were infected , 140 (87.5%) harboured one parasite while 20 (12.5%) harboured more than one parasite.190 (54.3%) were non infected with any of intestinal parasite . It was observed that the most common intestinal protozoa among children is Giardia lamblia, followed by Entamoeba histolytica and Blastocystis hominis with prevalence rate of infection (30.75%) for the last two parasites . Non pathogenic protozoa (E. coli ,I .butschlii,C. mesenili and E.nana)were found with a prevalence rate of (6.25%, 3.12% ,1.87%,1.87%) respectively . This stuy revealed that the prevalence rate of helmenth infection (18.75%)was lower than the protozoa (68.71%) . It was found that children in the age group ( less than 5 ) years are more susceptible to the infection with G. lamblia (17.5%) and B. hominis (9.37%) , while the infection with E. histolytica was within the age group (5 -14) years. Prevalence of infection with helminths increases with age .