Intestinal parasitic infections among school children in Tripoli, Libya.
An epidemiological survey was carried out in Tripoli district to collect baseline data on the prevalence of intestinal parasites. A sample of 486 school children aged from 5 to 14 years old provided morning stool samples as part of a pilot study of a larger national project. Questionnaires were distributed and general information on each child was recorded. Posters and leaflets were used extensively to increase the public health information and awareness about parasitosis. The results revealed that 14.6% of children were infected with at least one intestinal parasite. Double infections were in 2% of them. Giardia lamblia was the common parasite, followed by Enterobius vermicularis and then Ascqris lumbricoides. This was a preliminary approach to clarify the status on intestinal parasites since reliable reportable data being still comparatively lacking, which might be a guide for a feasible national control program.
Ben Musa
Najla
N
Department of Parasitology, Faculties of Medicine, El-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya. najla_bm@yahoo.com
Sehari
Aisha
A
Hawas
Ali
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008002:Libya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires