Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoan Parasites among Children attending the Hevi Pediatric Hospital in Duhok Province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

AbstractThis study aims to determine the prevalence rate of intestinal protozoan infection among children, in Duhok Province, North of Iraq, during the period between October ۲۰۲۲ to May ۲۰۲۳. A cross-sectional study was done among ۷۴۰ children attending Hevi Pediatric Hospital, Duhok Province, Iraq. First, all collected stool samples were examined directly by preparing a wet stool smear for detection of the vegetative stage (Trophozoite) of both E. histolytica and G. lamblia. Then, all stool samples were preserved at - ۲۲°C till used for identification of cysts of protozoa and oocysts of C. parvaum by the Telmman concentration stool method. The average child’s age was between ۱-۱۴ years in the current study. Out of the ۷۴۰ stool samples collected, ۲۰۵ (۲۷.۷%) were positive for intestinal protozoan infections, as follows: ۱۶۰ children (۷۸.۰%) tested positive for E. histolytica, ۳۵ children (۱۷.۱%) were positive for C. parvum, and only ۱۰ (۴.۹%) were positive for G. lamblia. However, the results indicate a statistically significant difference between the prevalence of E. histolytica, C.parvum, and G. lamblia infections across different age groups. This result is significant at a P value < ۰.۰۵. The highest infection rates of intestinal protozoa, including E.histolytica, C. parvum, and G.lamblia, were reported in age groups between ۵-۹ years (۵۳.۷۵%, ۲۵.۰%, and ۶۰.۰%) respectively, then followed by age groups between ۱-۴ years (۲۸.۷۵%,۲۰.۰% and ۳۰.۰%) respectively, and finally followed by age group between ۱۰-۱۴ years (۱۷.۵۵, ۸.۶%, and ۱۰.۰%) respectively. The prevalence of amoebaisis and cryptosporidiosis was reported higher than in the other studies done in Iraq, while the prevalence of giardiasis was reported at a lower rate than the rate reported before in Iraq and Duhok mainly. These infections continue to pose a difficult public health issue and necessitate the implementation of stronger and more effective preventative measures.

کلیدواژه ها:

Children ، Duhok Province ، Intestinal protozoa ، PREVALENCE