A Survey on Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites Infections in Patients Referred to the Public Hospital in Khoy, West Azarbaijan Province, Iran, 2014 - 2016

Intestinal parasites are one of the most important human infections in many tropical and sub-tropical areas.
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.
This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2014 to March 2016. Stool samples of 5610 patients referred to the Ghamar Bani Hashem hospital were examined using the formalin-ether concentration and direct smear methods. Determination of intestinal parasites was based on the morphological characteristics of the parasites. The scotch tape method was used for detection of Enterobius vermicularis ova in 133 suspected individuals. Microscopic results were recorded and analyzed.
A total of 5610 people (51.6% male and 48.4% female) were examined. The mean age of the patients was 47.26 ± 1.3. Among these, 32.1% were infected to at least 1 of the intestinal parasites. Prevalence of protozoa and helminths parasites was 30.1% and 1.2%, respectively. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasites was: Blastocystis sp.12.9%, Giardia lamblia 11%, Entamoeba coli 4.1%, Iodamoeba butschlii 2.1%, Endolymax nana 1.5%, Entamoeba histolytica/E.dispar 0.25%, Trichomonas hominis 0.09%, Ascaris lumbricoides 0.09%, Hymenolypis nana 0.03%, and Enterobius vermicularis 4.5%.
Although the highest prevalence was in the age group of 20 - 29 years (31.8%), there was no significant relationship between age and parasite infection. However, a significant relationship was observed between the Giardia lamblia infection and age.
Human intestinal parasite infections, especially protozoan infection, are still abundant in the Khoy region. Adequate knowledge and periodic surveillance of the prevalence of parasites and the variables that affect frequency are important for effective control.