Introduction and Objective: Intestinal parasites are distributed globally mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, of which Mozambique is part of it. They are more prominent in children because of their vulnerability. The purpose of this work was to determine the frequency of intestinal parasites in children less than 5 years of age who sought health care in the Chamanculo General Hospital.

Methods: Seventy stool samples were collected for laboratory analysis. The study was ethically approved. The Ritchie techniques modified Ziehl Nielsen, and fast immunofluorescence test were used to detect and identify the parasites.

Results: Out of 54.4% (n = 36/70) children were infected by intestinal parasites. Trichiuris trichuris 28.6 % and Ascaris lumbricoides 22.9% were the most frequent parasites. The most frequent protozoa were Entamoeba coli, 11.4%, non-pathogenic, Cryptosporidium sp and Giardia lamblia 10% pathogenic.

The proportion of IP in children whose family consumed untreated water was higher when compared to families that consumed treated water 61.1% and 5.6% respectively. The proportion of IP infection was higher in children whose families used traditional latrine when compared to families using self-care 52.8% and 30.6% respectively. The proportion of IP in children whose mothers had low schooling level was higher at 33.3% in comparison with those of children with high schooling level 2.5%.

Conclusions: Children from the area of Chamanculo were infected by intestinal parasites, associated with low sanitary conditions. These findings suggest a need of the involvement of other sectors rather than the ministry of health to reduce the levels of parasites infections.