title: Intestinal parasitic infestation among children in a semi-urban Indian population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Survey on the prevalence of various intestinal parasitic infestations in different geographic regions is a prerequisite to obtain an accurate understanding of the burden and cause of intestinal parasitic infestations in a particular area. The aim of the present study was to determine the intestinal parasitic infestation among children in a semi-urban area.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 335 stool samples were collected, processed, and microscopically examined for intestinal parasites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred twenty-eight (38%) stool samples showed presence of ova/cysts. Multiple parasites were seen in 42 (32.8%) samples. Among the protozoans, Entamoeba histolytica (55.3%) was the most common followed by Giardia lamblia (40.4%). Ascaris lumbricoides and Hymenolepis nana (24.2%) were the most common helminths detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In most of the cases, intestinal parasitic infestation spreads due to low standards of personal hygiene, poor sanitation, non-usage of toilets and an illiterate population, thus suggesting regular surveys to help in devising optimum methods of control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Santosh Medical College & Hospital, Ghaziabad, India.
authors.forename: Dakshina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bisht
authors.forename: Ajay K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Hari Har Deep
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Bharadwaj
keywords: Diarrhea; intestinal parasites; semi-urban population