4. Discussion
The subject of intestinal parasites in primary school children possesses a public health importance, and the rate of infection give an indication about the standard of sanitation in the community and the personal hygiene.
In our study, the overall rate of infection with intestinal parasites was 28.5% with infection 23.0% in urban areas and 33.2% in rural, this difference could be attributed to the sanitary measures introduced into both areas. Safe water supplies as well as the hygienic conditions are relatively lower in rural areas than in urban areas, in addition to the low level of health education, which may make the inhabitants more susceptible to parasitic infection. This result is identical to other result obtained by previous studies.
No significant difference in intestinal parasitic infection had been found between both sexes in our study which coincides with study of Kadhum Giardiasis was the commonest parasitic infection in school children which could be attributed to the variations in method of transmission especially through contaminated water and food, and by house flies (the cyst can survive up to 60 days in fresh water) , but it is very easy to remove it by filtration. As regard to the intestinal helminthes, Enterobious vermicularis and Ascaris lumbricoids were the most prevalent helminthes as our study revealed which matches the results of studies of Kadhum and Haque et al
Nearly 25% of the global populations are infected with Ascaris lumbricoides. It is well known that the chance of finding enterobious vermicularis in faces is less than 1/19 as detecting in single per anal swab examination. Thus the rate of infections given above is surely an underestimate of the actual prevalence and because of lack of material required for the per anal swab (scoth cellulose tape) we unfortunately, could not achieve this test in this study.
Intestinal helminthes have different mode of transmission, some are soli transmitted, others are mechanically transmitted, and only Enterobious vermicularis and H. Nama have direct made of transmission. This may explain the low infestation rate of helminthes.
This study shows clearly an increase in the prevalence of intestinal parasites mainly the feco-orally transmitted parasites. So it could be concluded that the aggression and embargo has an obvious impact on the hygiene and sanitations as well as on the socio-economic status that have an influence on the spread of this infection.
Health education by health and school authorities is recommended in which is should play an active role in controlling this public health problem. All damages in public services should be paid to repairing the sewage disposal system as well as water plant, which act as main source of water pollution.