Epidemiological Study of Intestinal Parasites in Pre-School Children in Al-Jiftlik Area - Jordan Valley
Date
2000
Authors
Moamar Ali Orabi
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Abstract
An epidemiological study of the prevalence of intestinal parasites and their effect on the hemoglobin level in pre-school children (<6 years old), was carried out during the period December 1998-February 1999 in Al Jiftlik area-Jordan valley. 220 pre-school children were included in the study116 (52.7%) males and 104 (47.3%) females. The findings were discussed in relation to children’s socioeconomic, hygienic background and environmental conditions in the study area. (100) (45.5%) of the pre-school children were infected at least with one type of intestinal parasites. Prevalence rates of encountered parasites in the infected population were as follows Giardia Lamblia 20%, Entamoeba histabwtica 14.5%, double infection (Giardia and Amaeba) 6.4%, Hymenolepis nana 1.8%, Enterabius vermicularis, 1.8% and other types 0.9%. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infection was lower in younger children (< 4years) old (41.2%), than in older children (5-6 years) (54.2%), P<0.05. In the infected cases, males (48) (41.4%) were less affected than females (52) (50%). Higher prevalence rates of parasitic infections among children were also found to be associated with families with lower income (e.g. farmers) or lower education level, than with families with higher income or higher education levels, and families with larger family size. Higher prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among pre-school children of Al—Jiftlik, may be partly attributed to wastewater irrigation in the study area, and contamination of food, soil and water environment, health conditions and poor infrastructure in this area. High prevalence of anemia (42.26%) was found among children in this study area. However, weak association was found between anemia and the prevalence of intestinal parasites.
Further work is therefore, still needed to determine the prevalence of carrier state of intestinal parasitic infection in school children in Palestine and to assess its significance in the spread of infection and identify factors that affect this state.
An epidemiological study of the prevalence of intestinal parasites and their effect on the hemoglobin level in pre-school children (<6 years old), was carried out during the period December 1998-February 1999 in Al Jiftlik area-Jordan valley. 220 pre-school children were included in the study116 (52.7%) males and 104 (47.3%) females. The findings were discussed in relation to children’s socioeconomic, hygienic background and environmental conditions in the study area. (100) (45.5%) of the pre-school children were infected at least with one type of intestinal parasites. Prevalence rates of encountered parasites in the infected population were as follows Giardia Lamblia 20%, Entamoeba histabwtica 14.5%, double infection (Giardia and Amaeba) 6.4%, Hymenolepis nana 1.8%, Enterabius vermicularis, 1.8% and other types 0.9%. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infection was lower in younger children (< 4years) old (41.2%), than in older children (5-6 years) (54.2%), P<0.05. In the infected cases, males (48) (41.4%) were less affected than females (52) (50%). Higher prevalence rates of parasitic infections among children were also found to be associated with families with lower income (e.g. farmers) or lower education level, than with families with higher income or higher education levels, and families with larger family size. Higher prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among pre-school children of Al—Jiftlik, may be partly attributed to wastewater irrigation in the study area, and contamination of food, soil and water environment, health conditions and poor infrastructure in this area. High prevalence of anemia (42.26%) was found among children in this study area. However, weak association was found between anemia and the prevalence of intestinal parasites. Further work is therefore, still needed to determine the prevalence of carrier state of intestinal parasitic infection in school children in Palestine and to assess its significance in the spread of infection and identify factors that affect this state.
An epidemiological study of the prevalence of intestinal parasites and their effect on the hemoglobin level in pre-school children (<6 years old), was carried out during the period December 1998-February 1999 in Al Jiftlik area-Jordan valley. 220 pre-school children were included in the study116 (52.7%) males and 104 (47.3%) females. The findings were discussed in relation to children’s socioeconomic, hygienic background and environmental conditions in the study area. (100) (45.5%) of the pre-school children were infected at least with one type of intestinal parasites. Prevalence rates of encountered parasites in the infected population were as follows Giardia Lamblia 20%, Entamoeba histabwtica 14.5%, double infection (Giardia and Amaeba) 6.4%, Hymenolepis nana 1.8%, Enterabius vermicularis, 1.8% and other types 0.9%. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infection was lower in younger children (< 4years) old (41.2%), than in older children (5-6 years) (54.2%), P<0.05. In the infected cases, males (48) (41.4%) were less affected than females (52) (50%). Higher prevalence rates of parasitic infections among children were also found to be associated with families with lower income (e.g. farmers) or lower education level, than with families with higher income or higher education levels, and families with larger family size. Higher prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among pre-school children of Al—Jiftlik, may be partly attributed to wastewater irrigation in the study area, and contamination of food, soil and water environment, health conditions and poor infrastructure in this area. High prevalence of anemia (42.26%) was found among children in this study area. However, weak association was found between anemia and the prevalence of intestinal parasites. Further work is therefore, still needed to determine the prevalence of carrier state of intestinal parasitic infection in school children in Palestine and to assess its significance in the spread of infection and identify factors that affect this state.