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Intestinal parasites infestation and anemia in primary school children in Gaza Governorates--Palestine
1Microbiology Department, Al Azhar University, Gaza-Palestine.
Insights
Anemia and intestinal parasites are prevalent in Gaza primary school children, especially in rural areas. Malnutrition and parasitic diseases contribute to anemia, with a significant link between anemia and mixed parasitic infections.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Anemia and intestinal parasitic infections are significant health concerns in school-aged children.
- Nutritional status and parasitic infestations can impact child health and development.
- Previous studies highlight regional disparities in these health issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of anemia, nutritional indices, and intestinal parasitic infestations.
- To compare these health indicators between urban and rural primary school children in Gaza.
- To investigate associations between parasitic infections, anemia, and child growth.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 209 primary school pupils aged 6-11 years.
- Data collection from schools in Rimal (urban) and Jabalia village (rural) areas.
- Assessment of anemia, nutritional indices, and identification of intestinal parasites.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of intestinal parasites (53% rural vs. 33% urban), with Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, and Ascaris lumbricoides being common.
- Polyparasitism was more frequent in the rural area.
- Anemia was highly prevalent in both areas, linked to malnutrition and parasitic diseases, with a significant association between anemia and mixed parasitic infections, particularly in rural children.
Conclusions:
- Intestinal parasitic infections and anemia pose a substantial public health challenge for primary school children in Gaza.
- Rural children exhibit higher rates of parasitic infections and a stronger correlation between anemia and polyparasitism.
- Interventions targeting parasitic control and nutritional improvement are crucial, especially in rural settings.
Abstract:
A comparative study was carried out to identify the prevalence of anemia, nutritional indices and intestinal parasitic infestation in primary school children. The target population included 209 pupils aged 6-11 years, attending schools in two areas, Rimal area (urban) and Jabalia village (rural), in Gaza Governorates. Prevalence of intestinal parasites was high in Jabalia village (more than 53%) in comparison to Rimal area (33%). The main intestinal parasites were Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis and Ascaris lumbricoides. Polyparasitism frequency is higher especially in rural area. In both areas anemia showed a high prevalence in children due to malnutrition and intestinal parasitic diseases. There was no association between intestinal parasitic infestation and children growth, but there was association between anemia and intestinal parasitic infestation in children, particularly in rural area. The correlation between anemia and mixed infestation reaches a highly significant level.