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Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections are one of the most common infections in world and account for significant burden of human disease in developing countries. Intestinal parasitosis represents relevant clinical problem responsible for morbidity and mortality in all age groups.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of parasitic infection in patients, to isolate various forms (egg, cyst) of intestinal parasites and to find out prevalence rate of intestinal parasitemia.

Materials and Method: This was hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Nepalgunj Medical College after institutional ethical approval from September 16, 2021 to November 21, 2021. Before receiving samples using convenience sampling, data on age, sex, water source, personal hygiene habits, and presence of gastrointestinal tract symptoms were collected. Stool samples were collected from patients in screw-capped plastic containers. Microscopic examinations of smear were made directly from sample under low-power to find eggs or larvae. Data were analysed for simple descriptive analysis using Microsoft Excel: frequency and percent distribution were calculated.

Result: Out of 200 stool samples collected, only 32 samples were found to be positive. Hence, the overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was found to be 16% with 32 positive cases, female being highly infected (18, 9%) than males (14, 7%). Entamoeba histolytica was seen in 28 (14%), Giardia lamblia in 2 (1%), and Ancyslotoma duodenale in 2 (1%).

Conclusion: Findings of this study reveal that protozoa were found more prevalent than helminthes. Continuing education on personal hygiene, clean drinking water can be advantageous to decrease the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections.

Entamoeba histolytica; intestinal parasitic infections; prevalence.