Evaluation of the Prevalence of Giardia Infection in People Referred to the Laboratories of Ilam City

Abstract

Introduction: Giardiasis is one of the most important health problems around the world and its prevalence has been reported in various regions. Furthermore, it causes long-term digestive disorders and can spread rapidly if there is no hygiene. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of Giardia lamblia in people referred to laboratories of Ilam, Iran, and to provide strategies for prevention. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 1000 stool specimens in Ilam labs in 2017. These were randomly collected from the laboratories along with demographic information. Subsequently, all samples were examined microscopically by using saline and iodine mount on grease-free slides. Furthermore, suspect specimens were examined using trichrome staining. Finally, the results were analysed using statistical software SPSS 20. The data were then compared with the Chi-square test. Results: The results revealed that 84 (8.4) of 1,000 samples were infected with the Giardia parasite. The frequency of the giardiasis in the age group of 20-30 years was higher than in other age groups and in males it was more as compared to females. Conclusion: The present study revealed that despite improving public health, Giardiasis is still a health problem. There are some useful strategies for reducing Giardia infection, for instance: proper planning, public health education, and providing safe drinking water.