title: [Investigation of intestinal parasites among primary school students in Kayseri-Hacılar].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Parasitic infections are an important health problem which affect children more than adults. Especially in growth-age children, this leads to problems such as malnutrition, malabsorption, growth retardation and learning disabilities. In this study, 328 students who were investigated in two primary schools between the ages of 6 and 14 in Kayseri-Hacılar region were analyzed for intestinal parasites.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stool samples were analyzed by light microscopy for the detection of helminths and protozoon using the native-lugol method. Cellophane tape samples were also analyzed by light microscopy for the detection of Enterobius vermicularis and Taenia spp.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At least one or more intestinal parasite species were found in 116 (35.4 %) children. The distribution of parasites which were detected in stool samples was as follows; Blastocystis hominis, 77 (23.5%); Enterobius vermicularis, 35 (10.7%); Giardia intestinalis, 14 (4.3%); Entamoeba coli, 15 (4.6%); Endolimax nana, 6 (1.8%); Hymenolepis nana, 1 (0.3%); Iodamoeba butschlii, 1 (0.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parasitic diseases are a major public health problem and we believe that education about personal hygiene, sanitation rules and parasitic diseases is important to overcome this problem.
authors.affiliation: Erciyes Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Parazitoloji Anabilim Dalı, Kayseri, Türkiye, Turkey.
authors.forename: Berna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hamamcı
authors.forename: Ulfet
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Cetinkaya
authors.forename: Safiye
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Delice
authors.forename: Barış Derya
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Erçal
authors.forename: Süheyla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gücüyetmez
authors.forename: Süleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yazar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000656:Amoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D016845:Blastocystis hominis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D004709:Endolimax / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004757:Enterobius / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D048189:Hymenolepis nana / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology