ABSTRACT

In our study, the distribution of intestinal parasites in a total of 933 students was investigated in five different primary schools in Diyarbakır. These schools are located in five different sections of the city and have different socio-economic statuses. The stool samples were examined using the native Lugol technique and flotation method. Parasites were found in 490 (52.51%) stool samples. We found Giardia intestinalis 151 (30.81%), Hymenolepis nana 140 (28.57%), Entamoeba coli 75 (15.30%), Trichuris trichura 40 (8.16%), Iodamoeba butschlii 36 (7.34%), Ascaris lumbricoides 29 (5.91%), Enterobius vermicularis 17 (3.46%), and Entamoeba histolytica 2 (0.4%). At the end of the study; students in areas with a lower socio-economic status, in particular those in the Alpaslan School, showed the highest prevalence of intestinal parasites.

Keywords: Intestinal parasites, primary school students