The Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among School Children in the Central Region of Thailand
Wilai Saksirisampant MSc**, Jarruratt Prownebon BSc*, Maedhi Kulkumthorn MD**, Sutin Yenthakam BSc**, Surasak Janpla MEd***, Surang Nuchprayoon MD, PhD**
Affiliation : * Department of Parasitology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital ** Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University *** Samkhaw School, Amphoe Samko, Ang Thong
Objective : Survey the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in 14 primary schools of Central Thailand
Materials and Methods : A cross sectional survey of the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in 14
primary schools of Central Thailand that included Ang Thong, Ayudthaya, and Suphanburi provinces was
conducted. One thousand and thirty seven children with age ranging from 3-12 years (540 males and 497
females) were examined for intestinal parasites by the formalin-ether concentration technique.
Result: The overall prevalence was 4.24%. The pathogenic parasites found were Giardia lamblia (1.25%),
Enterobius vermicularis (0.19%), Trichuris trichiura and Hookworm (0.19% each), respectively. The common
non-pathogenic protozoa found were Entamoeba coli (1.64%) and Endolimax nana (0.48%).The infection
rate of Blastocystis hominis was 0.19%.
Conclusion : Interestingly, the area studied which is low and flat and contains rice and water chestnut fields
and small rivers, did not demonstrate Fasciolopsis buski as highly found in the past five decades. However,
Parasittic infections are still public health problems in Thailand. Close monitoring and control of parasitic
infections is needed.
Keywords : Prevalence, Intestinal parasite, School children, Central region, Thailand
