Culha, GulnazOzer, Cahit2024-09-182024-09-1820081839-01881839-0196https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12483/8748Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in children and to evaluate its association with socioeconomic and environmental factors. Methods: Stool samples and cellulose tape slides of children between 1-16 years of ages living in a rural area in Antakya were investigated. Stool samples were examined by using the direct wet mount, iodine method, and sedimentation techniques. Results: One hundred and ninentynine (51.3%) of the 388 children included in the study were male, and the mean age was 6,8 +/- 3,4 years (minimum 1, maximum 16). Most of the families (87.4 %) were from the lowest socio-economical level and almost all of the mothers (96.4%) were housewivfes. One hundred and fifty-three (39.4%) stool specimens and 114 (29.4%) cellulose tape slides were considered as positive. The most frequently detected parasites were Enterobius vermicularis (29.4%), Blastocystis hominis (19.8%), Giardia intestinalis (16.5%). No statistical significance was observed in relation to intestinal parasites detected in tape slides and stool samples and; gender (p=0,906 and p=0,751), maternal occupation (p=0,075 and p=0,410), paternal occupation (p=0,355 and p=0,354), conditions of the residence [i.e having a garden (p=0,185 and p=0,733) and stable (p=0,523 and p=0,851), water supply (p=0,675 and p=0,218), having pets or animals (p=0,856 and p=0,429), having a separate room for each sibling (p=0,927 and p=0,079)] and, having symptoms indicating intestinal parasites (p=0,126 and p=0,611). Conclusion: High prevalences of intestinal parasites in children living in lower socioeconomic conditions showed that parasitosis remains to be a public health problem in Antakya.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccesschildhoodintestinal parasitesprevalencepersonal hygienesocioeconomical statusArticle67811WOS:000421791800003N/A