Prevalence of Intestinal Parasite Infection in Primary School Children in Elengaz Area, Khartoum, Sudan

A cross sectional study was carried out in Elengaz area, Khartoum the capital of Sudan to identify the prevalence of intestinal parasite infection in primary school children. Out of total number 3842 children, 500 were selected from four different primary schools. Stool specimens were collected and examined by direct microscopy, concentration method of Wills and direct centrifugal floatation (D.F.C method of Clyton Lane). The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infections was 64.4%. The common intestinal parasites were Giardia lamblia, Hymenolepis nan, Taenia saginata, Entrobius vermicularis, Schistosoma mansoni and Entamoebia histolytica. Most of infected children were suffering from single infection and two types of parasite. Many cases were being subclinical cases while the rest of infected children suffered from different clinical features associated with intestinal parasites such as nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, flatulence, mucus, constipation, perianal itching and bloody stool. The prevalence of intestinal parasite infection was high in primary school children, however a considerable number of cases were asymptomatic.