Abstract

Duplicate stool specimens from 405 primary school attending students of Barandooz-Chay region of Urmia district were tested for intestinal parasites. Besides, duplicate scotch tape slides were obtained and examined microscopically for Enterobius vermicularis and Taeniasp. eggs. A questionnaire containing demographic data was filled for every case, and the relationship between them and the parasitic infection was assayed. Overall, intestinal parasitic prevalence was 42.5%. Prevalence of Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli, Blastocystis hominis, Iodamoeba butschlii, Enterobius vermicularis and Hymenolepis nana was 20.5, 14.6, 13.3, 2.5, 10.6 and 0.2%, respectively. No statistic relation was proved between these infections, having tap water facility at home or family population (except for E. vermicularis), but there was a significant relationship between parents’ education level and family population. According to relatively high prevalence of parasitic infections in the study field, it is necessary to increase hygienic and educational measures.

Key words: Prevalence, intestinal parasites, primary school, Urmia.