The prevalence of intestinal parasites in children in preschools and orphanages in the Warmia-Masuria province (North-Eastern Poland).

Objective: A comparison of the prevalence of intestinal parasites (IP) in preschoolers and orphans in the Warmia-Masuria province (Poland).
Material and Methods: Between 2003-2006 fecal samples and perianal swabs from 1052 preschoolers and 859 orphans were tested on the basis of direct saline and iodine mount, decantation test and the adhesive cellophane tape method.
Results: 10.8% of preschoolers and 46,3% of orphans were infected with IP. Among the six detected IP species the E. vermicularis was the most common. Infections of E. vermicularis were diagnosed in 9.5% of preschoolers and 36,7% of orphans. There were statistically significant differences in the distribution of IP between males and females in preschools. IP infections were the most frequent among 7-year-old children, 19.1% in preschools and 65.7% in orphanages, respectively. In preschools, the prevalence of IP was higher among preschoolers from the rural area (17.3%) than from the urban area (10.3%).
Conclusion: Orphans and children from rural areas, especially at the age of 7, should be covered by systematic screening with parasitic tests throughout all of Poland. In this group of children, enterobiasis is the main health problem. The promotion of the awareness of IP infections and their prevention among parents and educational staff is required.