Human intestinal parasitic infections are still endemic in rural and urban children in developing countries such as Zambia.We conducted a cross-sectional study to compare the occurrence of intestinal parasites in children less than 16 years between a rural hospital, Chilonga Mission Hospital CMH) in Mpika, and an urban hospital, Arthur Davison Hospital ADH) in Ndola, Zambia, in 2017.Hospital laboratory records of stool examinations results performed at both hospitals from January to December 2017 were analysed.The prevalence of intestinal parasites at CMH was 5.7% while that for ADH was 0.4%.The difference between the two prevalences was statistically significant (P<0.005).One case of Balantidium coli, not previously known to be endemic in Africa, was detected at CMH.We made recommendations on how to improve laboratory detection and control of intestinal parasites in children in endemic countries such as Zambia.