Occurrence of Gastrointestinal Parasites Among Pre-School Children, Gaza, Palestine

Abstract

Aims: The present study is aimed to asses the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites among pre-school children in Gaza. Methods: In this study 679 stool specimens were collected from pre-school children aged <10 months to 60 months attending Ard El-Insan Association (Community primary health care center) in Gaza city. Stool specimens were inspected by a direct smear microscopy and sedimentation techniques. Results: The present study found that 16.6% of the studied children were infected with intestinal parasites. Infection with Giardia lamblia showed the highest prevalence (10.3%) among other parasites detected. Intestinal parasite prevalence was higher among male children than females. All age groups were susceptible for parasitic infection and no clear trend due to age. Conclusions: Intestinal parasites was found also among pre-school children in Gaza and those group of children need more medical attention to avoid them the intestinal parasites consequences. Key words : Pre-school children, gastrointestinal parasites, Prevalence, Gaza