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Distribution and risk factors associated with intestinal parasite infections among children with gastrointestinal

Hamed Kiani1, Ali Haghighi2, Roya Salehi2

  • 1Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Iranian Veterinary Organization. Hamadan, Iran.

Gastroenterology and Hepatology From Bed to Bench
|February 23, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Intestinal parasites (IPs) affect 21.8% of children in Nahavand, Iran. Age, gender, animal contact, and season are key risk factors for IPs, which are linked to diarrhea and vomiting.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Intestinal parasites (IPs) represent a significant global health challenge.
  • Children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse health effects of IPs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among children aged 12 years and younger in Nahavand County, Iran.
  • To identify risk factors associated with intestinal parasite infections in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted over six months (April-September 2014).
  • Fecal samples from 500 children with gastrointestinal disorders were analyzed using various microscopy techniques.
  • Data were statistically analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infections was 21.8% (109/500).
  • Blastocystis sp. was the most common parasite (16.2%), followed by Cryptosporidium spp. (2.6%).
  • Infections were significantly associated with age, gender, contact with domestic animals/soil, and season. IPs correlated significantly with diarrhea and nausea/vomiting.

Conclusions:

  • Blastocystis sp. is the predominant intestinal parasite in children in Nahavand County; helminth infections have decreased.
  • Age, gender, season, and contact with domestic animals or contaminated soil are significant predictors of IPs.
  • IP infections in children with gastrointestinal disorders are strongly linked to symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenDistribution and risk factorsParasitic infectionWestern Iran

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