277 International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 04 No. 04 October’20 Original article: Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Eosinophilia: A Cross-sectional Study among Primary School-aged Children in Medan, Indonesia Muhammad F Rozi 1 , Dewi M Darlan 2 *, Rodiah Rahmawati 3 , Dewi IS Siregar 4 Abstract: Background:Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) anditsimplication, such as malnutrition, growth stunting, anemia, and concentration impairment, still become a global burden. The primary immune cell that frstly involved in counteracting parasitic invasion is eosinophil. Therefore, higher levels of eosinophils could be suspected of havinga parasitic infection. Objective: Our study aimed to revealthe prevalence of IPIs and its correlation with eosinophilia.Material and Methods: The study was located in two diferent public primary schools,Public Primary School 060925 Harjosari 1, Amplas, Medan, Indonesia and Public Primary School 101747 Hamparan Perak, Deli Serdang, Indonesia which enrolled 132 primary school children aged 8-12 years graded III-VI, consisting of 22 males and 110 females,who had met the inclusion criteria between May and October 2016. Parasitology examination was carried out at the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara using Kato-Katz, Lugol, trichrome, and modifed acid-fast stain.Results: The study found intestinal protozoa infections were the most common IPIs in the population, Giardia lamblia as the most prevalent species (37.1%), while hookworm with the fewest fndings (2.8%). Additionally, the statistical analysis proved a signifcant correlation between IPIs and eosinophilia (p-value 0.021; 95% CI 1.13-5.58). Conclusion: eosinophilia patients with profound clinical manifestation should be further assessed to be considered for the administration of anti-parasitic medication. Keywords: Parasites, helminthiasis, eosinophils, protozoa Correspondence to: Dewi Masyithah Darlan, Jln. Dr. T. Mansur, Kampus USU Padang Bulan, Medan 20155, Indonesia, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia. Email: dmasyithah57@gmail.com, tel: +628111644545 1. Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. dr. Mansur Kampus USU Medan, Indonesia 2. Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. dr.Mansur Kampus USU Medan, Indonesia 3. Opthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia 4. Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, North Sumatera, Indonesia International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 04 No. 04 October’20 Page : 277-281 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v4i4.213 Introduction Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are parasitic infections caused by helminthic and protozoal manifestations, and it remains a neglected health problem for developing countries, particularly Indonesia. IPIs could clinically produce mild diarrhea in humans or severe debilitating symptoms and long-term complications. Chronic infection of the organism frequently leads to malnutrition, growth stunting, and cognitive impairment among children. 1 IPIs are separated into two diferent groups, Soil-transmitted Helminth (STHs) and intestinal protozoa infections, based on its etiologic agent. Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Entamoeba histolytica are the most common intestinal protozoa infection. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm are the most prevalent STH. The prevalence of IPIs is varied, higher in developing regions ranging from 34.2- 65.5 % in Ethiopia 2,3 , 31 % in Indonesia 4 , and 65-90.4 % in Sudan. 5,6 The initiation of immune response starts as early