The parasitic infections are the result of multiple factors, such as, socioeconomic, cultural, historical, and political conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of different types of parasitic infections among rural and urban school students in Tanta, Egypt. This study was done in five primary schools children in Tanta. Ages of pupils sample in urban and rural Tanta schools, ranged between 6-12 years and 820 (53.9%) pupils living in rural Tanta and 700 living in urban area. From September 2010- September 2011, 1520 stool samples were investigated for the presence of intestinal parasites. Stool specimens were examined using direct wet mount and the formal ether concentration techniques. Data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. Four species of intestinal parasites were identified with an overall prevalence of 22.43%. The prevalence of intestinal parasite infections in rural areas in Tanta was 14% while it was 26% in urban areas. The predominant parasites involved were Entamoeba histolytica, Enterobius vermicularis, Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides and Schistosoma mansoni with percentages 11.1%, 7.03 %, 4.46%, 0.19%, and 0.19%, respectively. The overall infection was 645 (46%) for males and 825 (54%) for females.
Key words: Intestinal parasites, children, Tanta, Egypt
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