Demographic status and prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren in Izmir, Turkey

Thirteen primary schools from nine areas were randomly selected in the shantytown and apartment districts in Izmir. Fecal specimens were evaluated with native-lugol, formalin-ethyl-acetate sedimentation and with trichrome staining for protozoa and helminths and with cellophane tape for Enterobius vermicularis. Of the study group, 33.4% had one or more parasites. The most common parasite was Blastocystis hominis (14.6%) followed by Enterobius vermicularis (10.1%) and Giardia intestinalis (7.8%). When parasitic distribution was evaluated in association with demographic features, a significant relation was found between the income level and parasitic infection prevalence. Multiple parasitic infections were more prevalent in crowded families (either extended or with many children). When parasitic infection prevalences in the 9-10 and 11-12 years of age groups were compared, the probability in the shantytown primary school group was significantly higher than in the apartment group (p<0.05).