Status of intestinal parasites infection among primary school children in Kampongcham, Cambodia

Abstract

A survey was made to find the extent of intestinal parasite infection inKampongcham, Cambodia in February 2002. A total of 251 fecal specimens were collectedfrom Tonlebat primary school children and examined by formalin-ether sedimentationtechnique. The overall infection rate of intestinal parasite was 54.2% (males, 57.3%;females, 50.8%). The infection rate of intestinal helminths by the species were as follows:Ascaris lumbricoides 26.3%, Echinostoma sp. 15.6%, hookworm 6.4%, Opisthorchis sp.4.0%, Rhabditis sp. 2.4%, and Trichuris trichiura 0.4%. The infection rate of intestinalprotozoa were as follows: E. coli 7.6%, G. lamblia 3.2%, I. butschlii 3.2%, and E. histolytica0.8%. More than two different kinds of parasites were found in 16.7% of the stool samples.All the children infected were treated with albendazole, praziquantel and metronidazoleaccording to parasite species. The results showed that intestinal parasites are highlyendemic in this area.