Intestinal parasitic infection and its contributing factors in children of the primary schools in Karbala Governorate

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections are still common in developing countries including Iraq, particularly in children. They are mostly associated with unsafe, low-quality drinking water and poor personal and environmental sanitation. Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitic infection among primary school children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 450 primary school students selected randomly using a stratified sampling technique. The list of all students from grades 1–6 was arranged alphabetically and served as a sampling frame. In this study, undertaken between September 2021 and March 2022 A structured questionnaire was used together with data on environmental, socio-demographic and behavioural factors. Stool specimens were collected from all study subjects and were examined for intestinal parasites using direct smear (mount examination) and Formal-ether concentration techniques. Results: Among 450 primary school children 60% (268) had intestinal parasites. Male: Female ratio is 1:1. Most infected children were from rural areas (63.1%), students whose mothers were housewives (72.4%), and about half of the parents had primary or intermediate educational levels. Enterobiusvermicularis was the most common intestinal helminth infection (27.6%), whereas Entamoebahistolytica was the most common protozoa infection (16.4%). On applying binary logistic regression analysis, rural residence of the students, not enough family income, Conclusion: low educational level of the mothers, Poor hand washing practice before eating, after playing outside and hand washing without soap and similar material, poor hygienic facilities like faulty sewage carriage system at school, sharing the same bed, mixed sources of drinking water were the sole factors significantly associated with increased odds of high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among primary school children.