Prevalence of intestinal parasites among school children in northern districts of West Bank-Palestine.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections in northern districts of West Bank, Palestine and to determine associated sociodemographic factors.

Methods: Random sampling of schoolchildren from rural and urban areas was carried out. Participants provided faecal samples and answered a questionnaire about their demographics and hygiene habits. Faecal samples underwent microscopy and PCR to screen for protozoan and helminths.

Results: Seven hundred and thirty-five samples were collected from children aged 9.5 years on average. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 22.2%. The rates of infections with amoeba, Giardia intestinalis, Entrobius vermicularis and Ascaris lumbricoides were 9.7%, 4.1%, 1.6% and 3.8%, respectively. Real-time PCR was performed to differentiate between Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar. Results showed that 14% of samples positive with microscopy for amoeba were positive for E. histolytica. There was no significant association between sex and rates of infections (P-value > 0.05). There were, however, significant association between parasite infections and parents' education, place of residence, washing hands habits (P-value > 0.05). No significant association was found with number of family members or eating in school canteens (P-value > 0.05).

Conclusions: Intestinal parasite infections are endemic in West Bank. Interventions such as health education and sanitation are needed.