Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasite infections in Mazandaran province, North of Iran

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are confirmed as major public health problems, worldwide. Northern Iran is highly endemic area for such infections. This research aimed to study on the prevalence of IPIs among people referred to the health care centers in Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional survey, 984 stool samples were collected during 2015-2016. Fresh stool samples were collected from all individuals and examined by direct slide smear, formalin-ether concentration, trichrome and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining techniques. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and Chi-square test. Results: Out of 984 participants, the overall prevalence of IPIs was 12.1% (95 CI, 11.4-12.7; 119/984). The prevalence of protozoa and helminthes infections were 7.9% (95 CI, 7.4-8.3; 109/984) and 5.3% (95 CI, 4.9%-5.5%; 69/984), respectively. The most prevalent protozoan IPs were include Giardia lamblia (3.3%), Entamoeba coli (2%), Blastocystis hominis (1.3%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (1.1%), Entamoeba hartmanni (1.1%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (0.6%). Also major helminthic infections were include Trichostrongylus spp. (2.6%), Hookworms (1.7%), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.1%), Hymenolepis nana (0.6%) and Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0.6%). The results of the univariate analysis revealed that residence (rural being [P = 0.017]) and occupation (farmers [0.033]) were statistically significant risk factor for IPIs. Conclusion: In conclusion, we have found, despite persistent improvement in sanitary conditions over the recent years in northern part of Iran, IPIs are still among the main public health problems in this area. Moreover, helminths infection in our study were considerable. Thus, effective control programs are essential to reduce the incidence of IPIs.

Intestinal parasitic infections among patients referred to hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, southern Iran: a retrospective study in pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic

“…The results of the current study reported a prevalence of 0.04% for helminthic infection. The prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis in various parts of Iran has been reported 0-5.8% that is consistent with the findings of the present study (Asgari et al 2003;Rezaiian et al 2004;Daryani et al 2012;Gholipoor et al 2019). H. nana, E. vermicularis, and S. stercoralis were reported as the parasitic helminths in the present study.…”

Identificación molecular de Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar y Entamoeba moshkovskii en niños con diarrea en Maracaibo, Venezuela

“…y la giardiasis (G. lamblia), lo que puede comprobarse por el predominio de las amebas encontradas en este estudio en el grupo de niños con diarrea, a pesar de que no todas las amebas identificadas se consideran patógenas. nacional e internacional (25,34,(45)(46)(47) en los que se ha encontrado que los parásitos intestinales están asociados principalmente a las malas condiciones higiénicas, el escaso saneamiento del entorno y la precariedad socioeconómica de las familias.…”

“…Según la escala de Graffar, en el estrato V, el tipo de vivienda corresponde a un rancho con condiciones sanitarias marcadamente inadecuadas. Estos resultados coinciden con los de otros estudios a nivel nacional e internacional 25 , 34 , 45 - 47 ) en los que se ha encontrado que los parásitos intestinales están asociados principalmente a las malas condiciones higiénicas, el escaso saneamiento del entorno y la precariedad socioeconómica de las familias.…”

The association between the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities with intestinal Entamoeba spp infection risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Based on the extracted data from literature, income [ 82 ], animal contact [ 83 ], family size [ 37 ], nutritional status [ 24 , 84 ], age [ 85 ], gender [ 86 ], occupation statue [ 81 ], and some other cases, such as sexual act [ 87 ], genetic and immunity system of host [ 67 , 74 ] were considered as the most effective factors.…”

“…However, the larger communities need to have better management for water supply and sanitary disposal of wastes and wastewater [ 45 , 74 ]. These goals require appropriate infrastructure, which is largely related to government policy and economics [ 63 , 85 , 98 , 99 ].…”