Association of drinking water and prevalence of intestinal parasites in military persons

Introduction. Risk of intestinal parasites infection increased in time to travel in poor hygiene area without available health drinking water. Consumption of hygiene bottle water can reduce contamination of intestinal parasites. The aim of this study was evaluated of prevalence of intestinal parasites associated with water used in military person.Materials and Methods. This is a cross-sectional study that conducted in 1002 dispatched military person in Bandar Abbas city and Iranian large and small Tonb island in south of Iran in 2007. Stool sample was given from each person and examined in concentrated method for evaluation of cyst, ova and larva of intestinal parasites. Type of drinking water and its association was assessed with parasitic infection. Data was analyzed with chi-square and T-test in 13 SPSS computer program and p<0.05 was related significant.Results. in here, all persons were men and mean age was 21.8 ± 2.29 SD. Battle water was use in 521(52%) and other water is from tank or well. Intestinal parasite infection was positive in 299(29.84%) of persons. E.histolitica was detected in 22(2.2%), Giardia 66 (6.6%), H.nana 15(1.5%) and ascariasis in 17(1.7%). Prevalence of giardia was related with drinking water and significantly had low prevalence in bottle water but Ascariasis, E. histolytic and H.nana did not relate with different drinking water.Conclusion. This study suggested that battle water can only reduce giardia infection but no effect to other intestinal parasites. Probably transmission of other intestinal parasite may be done via used of contamination vegetable and foods. Therefore added to use of health water, foods and health vegetables, we considered health education should be considered in military persons.