BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are prevalent in developing countries like India and have been the important cause of morbidity and mortality especially in children. OBJECTIVES: Estimate prevalence of various intestinal parasitic infections in hospital as well as in rural school children to obtain an accurate understanding of the burden and cause of intestinal parasitic infections in Kancheepuram. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2654 stool samples were collected, processed,

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... and microscopically examined for intestinal parasites. 2267 were adults and remaining 387 were children. In addition, 314 rural school children were also included in the study. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of IPIs was estimated as 32.59% (739/2267) in hospital adults and 55.50% (215/387) in hospital children and 56.68% (178/314) in rural school children; high prevalence rate was found among hospital children and in school children when compared to adults. Among the protozoans E. histolytica was the highest, followed by Giardia and among the helminths hookworm was highest followed by Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, Hymenolepis nana and Strongoloides larvae respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal parasitic infections spreads due to low standards of personal hygiene, poor sanitation, open air defecation and an illiterate population, thus suggesting need for regular surveys to minimize the IPIs rate in the community.