A Survey on Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites Infections in Patients Referred to the Public Hospital in Khoy, West Azarbaijan Province, Iran, ۲۰۱۴ - ۲۰۱۶

Background: Intestinal parasites are one of the most important human infections in many tropical and sub-tropical areas. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and their association with some demographic factors in patients referred to the Ghamar Bani Hashem hospital Khoy, West Azarbaijan province. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April ۲۰۱۴ to March ۲۰۱۶. Stool samples of ۵۶۱۰ patients referred to the Ghamar Bani Hashemhospitalwere examinedusing the formalin-ether concentrationand direct smearmethods. Determinationof intestinal parasites was based on the morphological characteristics of the parasites. The scotch tape method was used for detection of Enterobius vermicularis ova in ۱۳۳ suspected individuals. Microscopic results were recorded and analyzed. Results: A total of ۵۶۱۰ people (۵۱.۶% male and ۴۸.۴% female) were examined. The mean age of the patients was ۴۷.۲۶ ± ۱.۳. Among these, ۳۲.۱% were infected to at least ۱ of the intestinal parasites. Prevalence of protozoa and helminths parasites was ۳۰.۱% and ۱.۲%, respectively. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasites was: Blastocystis sp.۱۲.۹%, Giardia lamblia ۱۱%, Entamoeba coli ۴.۱%, Iodamoeba butschlii ۲.۱%, Endolymax nana ۱.۵%, Entamoeba histolytica/E.dispar ۰.۲۵%, Trichomonas hominis ۰.۰۹%, Ascaris lumbricoides ۰.۰۹%, Hymenolypis nana ۰.۰۳%, and Enterobius vermicularis ۴.۵%. Although the highest prevalence was in the age group of ۲۰ - ۲۹ years (۳۱.۸%), there was no significant relationship between age and parasite infection. However, a significant relationship was observed between the Giardia lamblia infection and age. Conclusions: Human intestinal parasite infections, especially protozoan infection, are still abundantin the Khoy region. Adequate knowledge andperiodic surveillance of theprevalence of parasites andthe variables that affectfrequency are importantfor effective control.