Intestinal parasites in relation to haemoglobin level and nutritional status of school children in Gaza.

The prevalence of intestinal parasites and their relations to anaemia and nutritional status among school children aged 6-11 years in Gaza was studied. The target area is overcrowded with improper sewage disposal system and low socioeconomic levels. Anaemia was assessed by haemoglobin level (Hb) and nutritional status by anthropometric measurements including weight for age (WA), weight for height (WH) and height for age (HA). Intestinal parasites were found to be prevalent in Gaza. The overall prevalence was 24.5%. Giardia lamblia (62.2%) was the most common parasite detected particularly in age group 6-7 years, followed by Ascaris Iumbricoides (20.0%), then Entamoeba histolytica (18.0%). Parasitosis was generally declining with older age groups for both sexes. In general, the prevalence of anaemia was more common in the younger children. Malnutrition was found to be prevalent among children. Infected children of age group 8-9 years showed higher incidence of low WA than non infected ones. The prevalence of stunting and wasting among infected children of the youngest group was greater than that observed for controls. Regarding sex, no specific trend that relates the prevalence of anaemia with sex. Malnutrition was more prevalent among females than males.