Distribution of ıntestinal parasites for age and gender in the 13 to 18 years age group at the Nigde Orphanage

The present study was aimed at the determination of the rate of infection with intestinal parasites in children cared for at the Nigde Orphanage, and the demonstration of the distribution of infection in these children for age and gender. Faecal samples collected from 110 children, aged 13 to 18 years, were examined by the native method using physiological saline. Of the 110 faecal samples examined, 41 (37.3%) contained intestinal parasites, and of the samples containing parasites, 25 (61%) contained helminths and 16 (39%) contained protozoa. The number of faecal samples identified to contain a single parasite species was 39 (95%), while 2 (5%) samples contained more than one parasite species. As regards the distribution of the intestinal parasites for gender, it was ascertained that of the 75 females 30 (40%) individuals and of the 35 males 11 (31.5%) individuals were infected with intestinal parasites. The difference between the two sexes was considered to be insignificant. Faecal examination revealed the presence of the following parasite species at the indicated rates: Ascaris lumbricoides (34.1%), Entamoeba histolytica (29.3%), Taenia saginata (17.1%), Giardia intestinalis (9.8%), Enterobius vermicularis (7.3%) Trichuris trichiura (2.4%). The present study demonstrated that the environment of the orphanage was favourable for autoinfection and the spread of infection by direct contact. Furthermore, it was determined that the rate of parasitic infection was higher in the age group of 13 to 14 years, compared to the age group of 15 to 18 years.