Intestinal Parasitic Infections among the Residents of Orphanages in Alexandria

Abstract

In Egypt, intestinal parasitic infections continue to be a major public health problem especially among children. Although

mortality . from

malnourishment

such infections Is low, yet

and impairment 111 physical

it leads to

and mental

development and causes more morbidity and more economic and social deprivation

Institutionalized residents particularly orphans represent an important group. So much emphasis should be rightly placed on the protection of this susceptible group from parasitic infections. Therefore, the present work was carried out (from March 2000 to October 2000) to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among the residents of orphanages in Alexandria city and to investigate the environmental and personal factors that may affect prevalence of such parasites.