Prevalence and time-trend analysis of intestinal parasitic infections in north-central Iran, 2012-2016

Karimazar, M; Rezaeian, S; Ebrahimipour, M; Ranjbarpour, A; Madanipour, H; Javan, S; Najjari, M

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Prevalence and time-trend analysis of intestinal parasitic infections in north-central Iran, 2012-2016

Author: Karimazar, M. ¹ ; Rezaeian, S. ² ; Ebrahimipour, M. ³ ; Ranjbarpour, A. ⁴ ; Madanipour, H. ⁴ ; Javan, S. ⁴ ; Najjari, M. ⁵
Author Information

1. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2. Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
3. Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
4. Nazarabad Health Network, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Alborz, Iran
5. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Publication Type:Journal Article
From:Tropical Biomedicine 2019;36(1):103-113
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: Intestinal parasitic infections are still considered as health challenges, predominately in the areas with low sanitation and socioeconomic conditions. Owing to the socioeconomic impact, these infections are considered as important Neglected Tropical Diseases in developing countries, including Iran. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and time-trend of intestinal parasitic infections in Nazarabad, Alborz Province north-central Iran. In a cross-sectional study, medical records of 4427 suspected cases of intestinal parasites, referred to the Nazarabad health network, from 2012 to 2016 were reviewed. Bio-data, as well as laboratory data, were extracted after obtaining ethics approval. The descriptive and time-trend analyses were applied to the data. Linear regression analysis was used for the time-trend analysis. The results indicated that 18.0% of the cases to have at least one parasite in their intestine. A total of 4.5% (36/798) of positive cases has mixed infection. The median age was 31 with a range from 4 to 84 years. There are 12 different parasites detected. Blastocystis (9.2%) and Giardia (7.4%) were more prevalent parasites in the cases. Time-trend analysis showed a decreasing trend of the infection from 2012 to 2016. The most prevalent infection was found in the spring months. These infections are still among the health challenges in north-central Iran. More investigations are needed to determinate the main sources of these parasites in this area. More effective control programs are needed to combat these infections, especially in the spring and summer months.
Full text:8.2019my0996.pdf