This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestations
among school children in Kaski District of Western Nepal. A total of 2091 stool
samples were collected from school children selected from 11 rural and eight urban
schools. The stool samples were examined for evidence of parasitic infections by direct
microscopic examination. Prevalence of intestinal parasites was 21.3%. There
was a significant difference in prevalence between urban (18.7%) and rural (24.1%)
school samples. Giardia lamblia (13.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (2.1%) and Entamoeba
histolytica (1.7%) were the commonest parasites isolated. The results indicate that
intestinal parasitic infestation among school children in the study area is mainly
water-borne. The burden of parasitic infestations among the school children, coupled
with the poor sanitary conditions in the schools, should be regarded as an issue of
public health priority. This strongly supports the need for school health programmes
that will involve periodic deworming, health education and improvement of school
sanitation.