Prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasites among street sanitation workers and work conditions at Gaza Municipality’

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Street sanitation workers (SSWs) are a potential source of infection for many intestinal parasites and other enteropathogenic infections as well. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites carriers among SSWs at Gaza Municipality and focusing on the associated risk factors through their work. METHODS: The study was performed from Sep 2014 to June 2015. Stool samples were collected from 199 SSWs aged between 18 to 65 years and were examined following standard parasitological methods including wet mount using saline and iodine and formal ether sedimentation technique. Demographic, environmental, behavioural and some risk factors were addressed through a questionnaire. SSWs were invited to attend four health education sessions. RESULTS:Intestinal parasites were detected among 45/199 of the sanitation workers with a prevalence of (25.1%). Five species of protozoan or helminth infections were recorded, and the mixed infections were 2.5%. Where, most prevalent parasite among the SSWs is E. histolytica while A. lumbricoides showed the lower rate of infection. The highest parasitic infection was among 18-28 age group with a prevalence of 27.4%, but no significant difference was found (P = 0.81). Analysis of the results using the chi square test showed statistically significant results with the following symptoms: loss of weight (P=0.058). The daily risks/accidents challenging the SSWs during the work were identified. The SSWs has showed low adherence to use PPTs. CONCLUSIONS:It is concluded that most of the SSWs are at high risk for intestinal parasites, exposed to daily accidents and hard work conditions.. It is recommended that health education in general should be increased to raise awareness in addition we are in need for constant epidemiological surveillance through periodical surveys parallel with development of healthcare towards the problem of parasitic infections. KEYWORDS: Intestinal parasites, sanitation workers, protection, Palestine