الفهرس 
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Abstract
Intestinal parasitic infections are amongst the most prevalent human infections affecting mainly school children due to their poor hygienic nature or poor sanitary conditions coupled with their voracious eating habits (5). These infections are still a serious public health problem in the world, particularly in developing countries (6 )&(4) and they are the result of inter-related social, economic, cultural, historical and political factors (7).
Globally, 3.5 billion people are infected causing clinical morbidity in nearly 450 million (14 & 15). Intestinal Parasites classified into helminthes (Cestod, Nematod, Trematod) and protozoa. Parasites live everywhere and are commonly transmitted to humans in many ways, such as drinking water, eating raw or under cooked meats and fish, and numerous other ways (1). They cause wide range of clinical manifestations. Weight loss, anorexia, polyphagia, fatigue, loss of concentration, abdominal colic, diarrhea and constipation are common manifestations depend on the type of intestinal parasitic infection (29).
Generally, for prevention of the intestinal parasitic infestations, the plan of prevention must stress on interference with the route of transmission or break the life cycle of the parasite as use of safe and adequate water supply, improvement of environmental sanitation and practicing good sanitation and hygiene habits (140).
Studies were done in different areas all over the world and applied to different age groups to estimate the epidemiology of IPIs and the risk factors for infection. The results of these studies were used to design effective strategies to control intestinal parasitic infections.
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections in Gharbia primary school children and risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections. The finding of this study may reveal significant assocatiations that would help in designing effective strategies to beat intestinal parasitic infections in the study area.
To achieve these goals, cross-sectional study conducted to calculated sample (614) of primary school children in both rural and urban primary schools and also included private and governmental ones in Elmehalla district, Gharbia governorate. In the period of field work, data were collected through pre-designed structured questionnaire.The questionnaire involved socio-demographic characteristics, environmental factors, sanitary habits, complaints and past history of the participants.Then the enrolled children were subjected to clinical examination, measurement of weight and height, stool examination and hemoglobin level estimation.
Intestinal parasitic prevalence rate was (65%)–either single (57.8%) or mixed (7.2%) infection -of all participants. Protozoa (Entameba and Giardia) were more frequent than helminthes (49.5% and 15.5%) respectively. The most common parasite was Entameba (30.8%).
Significant association between infected and non-infected children regarding sociodemographic characteristic as age (lower mean age of infected children), occupation of children’s parents as (83.2%) of infected children’s mothers were house wives and (92.6%) of non-infected children belonging to working fathers. Also, level of education of their parents as (55.3%) of non-infected children’s mothers and(60.9%) of their fathers had university or higher degree.the mean number of children within the house of infectad children was (2.44±1.01) which was lower than that of non-infected (2.71±1.12).At last, school type as (66.7%) of infected children registered in governmental schools.
There was significant association between infection and housing conditions, number and type of bathrooms, un-safe source of water supply (piped or from private well) and presence of domestic animals in the house or nearby the house.
It was found that two third of the infected children washed anal area by their hands after defecation.
Regarding effect of intestinal parasitic infection; abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, intestinal dismotility were the most common symptoms among infected children representing (44.4%, 14.5%and 18.0%) respectively. These symptoms showed highly significant association.
It was noted that highly significant association between current infection and history of previous parasitic infections of children or their family members and History of anti-parasitic treatment.
Intestinal parasitic infections had negative effect on infected children Growth parameters (weight and height) andhemoglobin level. Mean weight of infected children was 31.41±10.69 kg versus34.70±10.74 kg for non-infected ones. And mean height of infected children 133.81±12.72 cm versus135.82±10.03 cm for non-infected ones. While mean level of hemoglobin of infected children rolled in this study was11.48±0.923 g/dl which is lower than non-infected ones 12.03±0.98 g/dl. The prevalence of anemia among infected childrenwas 41.4%, compared to 23.3% of non-infected.
In this study, intestinal parasite was significantly higher in rural residence and governmental school. Male gender, non working and low educational level of parents ,living with extended family, using a traditional bathroom, dependence on wells ,presence of domestic animals in or nearby the house ,washing anal area with hands were common risk factors for infection. There were significant relationships between abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, intestinal dismotility, past history of parasitic infection of child or the family, anti-parasitic treatment, anemia and infection.