Epidemiological study of intestinal parasites among applicants for a health card in Boroujerd, 2020

Regardless of significant progress in the field of health around the world, intestinal parasitic infections are still considered one of the health and economic problems in various societies, including Iran. This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites among individuals who referred to the central laboratory, Boroujerd, Iran, to apply for a health card.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the first half of 2020. The samples (n=1,098) were selected from health card applicants in Boroujerd city using the convenience sampling method. The data collected through a questionnaire, the results of medical examinations, and the significance or non-significance of such variables as age, gender, and occupation with the results of tests that used direct methods (i.e., Lugol and normal saline) and formalin ether to diagnose intestinal parasites, were recorded and analyzed in SPSS 16 software using the Chi-square test.

The results showed that the prevalence of intestinal parasites (both pathogenic and non-pathogenic) was 8.7%. Moreover, the prevalence of infection was estimated at 9.1% in men and 5.8% in women. Intestinal protozoan infections were reported for Blastocystis hominis (61.1%), Endolimax nana (7.3%), Idamoeba botscheli (7.3%), Entamoeba coli (2.5%), Giardia lamblia (4.2%), Entamoeba histolytica (1.1%), and the helminths parasites Hymnolepis nana (1.1%). Among people with parasites, the highest percentages were related to pizza and sandwich (fast food) jobs (14.3%) and bakery 8%.

Infection of intestinal parasites, especially protozoa, was more than worm infections. The results of this study showed the high prevalence of B. hominis. Since the transmission of this parasite is through the fecal-oral route, it is necessary to implement programs to improve food preparation and production environments, as well as providing healthy food and water, observing personal and public health, and monitoring and enforcing health laws by health center inspectors.