Abstract

This transversal study estimated the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in school children twice yearly treated by the national campaign of albendazole during two consecutive years in Northwestern Mexico. 450 and 389 children showed prevalences of 46 and 35% for intestinal parasites, 42 and 30% for protozoa, and 11 and 12% for helminths in 2005 and 2006, respectively.Giardia duodenalis and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii showed high and low prevalences, respectively. The prevalence of infection increased with age. 50 (September 2005) and 42 children (September 2006) excreted medians of 520 and 630 of eggs per gram (epg) ofHymenolepis nana, respectively. Albendazole alone is not sufficient approach to overcome intestinal parasitic infections in school children. Educational strategies should be integrated to the national deworming campaign in Northwest Mexico to obtain more effective results.

Key words: Intestinal parasitism, albendazole, de-worming campaign, school children, Northwest Mexico.