title: Rural life, lower socioeconomic status and parasitic infections.
abstract: This study was conducted both to assess the prevalence of parasitic infections in two neighboring villages of Manisa province in Turkey, with different socioeconomic levels and investigate the influences of some individual and environmental factors on these infections. A total of 100 school children were enrolled and their cellophane tape and stool samples were examined for parasites. Pediculus capitis infestation was diagnosed by visual inspection of the hair. Although the prevalences of both intestinal parasitosis and pediculosis were high in both villages, there was a statistically significant difference for pediculosis, but not for intestinal parasitosis. Lack of social security and father's regular job were found to be highly correlated with all parasitic infections. Pediculosis was more common in younger children, girls and those in crowded families. These results indicate not only the high prevalence of parasitic infections, but also the urgent need for the improvement of basic health services and infrastructure in the rural areas, crowded with poorer immigrant population.
authors.affiliation: Celal Bayar University School of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Manisa 45010, Turkey.
authors.forename: I Cüneyt
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Balcioglu
authors.forename: Ozgür
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kurt
authors.forename: M Emin
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Limoncu
authors.forename: Gönül
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dinç
authors.forename: Mürüvvet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gümüş
authors.forename: Ali A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kilimcioglu
authors.forename: Enis
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kayran
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozbilgin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D010374:Pediculus; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology