An-Najah Staff

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections in northern districts of West Bank, Palestine and to determine associated sociodemographic factors.
Methods: Random sampling of schoolchildren from rural and urban areas was carried out. Participants provided faecal samples and answered a questionnaire about their demographics and hygiene habits. Faecal samples underwent microscopy and PCR to screen for protozoan and helminths.
Results: Seven hundred and thirty-five samples were collected from children aged 9.5 years on average. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 22.2%. The rates of infections with amoeba, Giardia intestinalis, Entrobius vermicularis and Ascaris lumbricoides were 9.7%, 4.1%, 1.6% and 3.8%, respectively. Real-time PCR was performed to differentiate between Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar. Results showed that 14% of samples positive with microscopy for amoeba were positive for E. histolytica. There was no significant association between sex and rates of infections (P-value > 0.05). There were, however, significant association between parasite infections and parents’ education, place of residence, washing hands habits (P-value > 0.05). No significant association was found with number of family members or eating in school canteens (P-value > 0.05).
Conclusions: Intestinal parasite infections are endemic in West Bank. Interventions such as health education and sanitation are needed.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites among Jenin Governorate (Northern Palestine) population.
Methods: A retrospective laboratory analysis of stool specimens was carried out for intestinal parasite examination in Jenin Governmental Hospital, Jenin Governorate, Northern Palestine. The records were collected from the clinical microbiology laboratory of the Jenin Governmental Hospital between January 2000 and December 2009.
Results: Our retrospective study showed that the prevalence of intestinal parasite infection during 10 years ranged from 32.0-41.5%. There are at least 7 different parasites encountered. The most common pathogenic parasites identified were: Entamoeba histolytica (8.2-18.2%), Enterobius vermicularis (15.6-28.9%). The other parasites present were Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Taenia species and Ancylostoma duodenale (Hookworms (
Conclusions  Intestinal parasitic infection is an important public health problem in Jenin governorate, Palestine. It is necessary to develop effective prevention and control strategies including health education and environmental sanitation improvement.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites among Jenin Governorate (Northern Palestine) population.
Methods: A retrospective laboratory analysis of stool specimens was carried out for intestinal parasite examination in Jenin Governmental Hospital, Jenin Governorate, Northern Palestine. The records were collected from the clinical microbiology laboratory of the Jenin Governmental Hospital between January 2000 and December 2009.
Results: Our retrospective study showed that the prevalence of intestinal parasite infection during 10 years ranged from 32.0-41.5%. There are at least 7 different parasites encountered. The most common pathogenic parasites identified were: Entamoeba histolytica (8.2-18.2%), Enterobius vermicularis (15.6-28.9%). The other parasites present were Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Taenia species and Ancylostoma duodenale (Hookworms (
Conclusions  Intestinal parasitic infection is an important public health problem in Jenin governorate, Palestine. It is necessary to develop effective prevention and control strategies including health education and environmental sanitation improvement