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In both developed and developing countries, parasitic diseases constitute an important public health issue. In Turkey too, various studies have shown that prevalence of parasitic diseases are very high. Parasitic infections may cause inadequate nutrition, physical and mental growth discrepancies, and lack of harmony to school and environment. Inadequate or detrimental environmental conditions, poor standards of personal hygiene, insufficient and unclean water supply, unhealthy foodstuffs sold in the open by street vendors, ages-old cultural habits such as the common use of personal belongings, as well as the general sub-standards of knowledge and information on related matters are the main factors contributing to the spread of parasitic diseases. Training and education is of paramount importance in promoting public awareness as to the role of environmental and personal hygiene in preventing parasitic diseases, with particular emphasis on the fact that they threaten the general health of entire communities and especially that of their children. Obviously, all health personnel must be involved in this area of responsibility, but the main burden will necessarily be placed upon the shoulders of the doctors, nurses, midwives and other health personnel working in primary centers. |
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