Abstract
Present study aimed to investigate prevalence of Giardia intestinalis and Hymenolepis nana in Afghan refugees visiting Central Health Unit (CHU), Kot Chandana (Mianwali, Northern Punjab) during two years period (February 2007 to December 2009). A total of 687 stool samples were collected from different age groups of both genders. Samples were processed under sterile conditions after gross examination. Microscopic examination was done on same day along with eggs (H. nana), cyst and trophozoites (G. intestinalis) detection after staining. The prevalence of G. intestinalis was significantly higher (x2=59.54, p<0.001) than that of H. nana. Females were found more likely to be infected as compared to males (OR: 1.40, 95% CI=1.03-1.92). Prevalence of both parasites decreased with age and highest prevalence was observed in young individuals belonging to 1-15 years of age group (41.8% and 48.7% respectively for H. nana and G. intestinalis, p<0.001). Abdominal distress (OR: 1.13, 95%CI=0.83-1.53), vomiting (OR: 1.13, 95%CI=1.13-1.81) and rectal prolapse (OR: 4.26, 95%CI=1.38-13.16) were the gastro-intestinal clinical symptoms observed in G. intestinalis. Whereas, bloody diarrhea (OR: 1.56, 95%CI=1.00-2.43) and rectal prolapse (OR: 5.79, 95%CI=1.87-17.91) were associated with H. nana infections. Intestinal parasitic infections are common among Afghan refugees and serious preventive measures should be implemented to promote the safety and healthy lifestyle of these people.
Highlights
Intestinal parasites infect approximately 3 billion people worldwide, leading to augmented risk of developmental deficiencies, and even deaths[1]
Central Health Unit (CHU) is the only medical care unit working for Afghan Refugees at Kot Chandna camp, under the supervision of CAR Government of Pakistan
A passive study was conducted from February 2007 to December 2009 at Central Health Unit (CHU), to access the prevalence of H. nana and G. intestinalis in the refugees
Summary
Intestinal parasites infect approximately 3 billion people worldwide, leading to augmented risk of developmental deficiencies, and even deaths[1]. In tropical countries parasitic infection is a common cause of morbidity along with mortality[2]. Its incidence is predominantly high in developing countries owing to the poor sanitary conditions, usage of contaminated drinking water and poor personal hygiene[3]. Giardiasis is associated with socioeconomic level of a country and its prevalence ranges from 2 to 7% in most of industrialized regions and reaching 40% in developing countries[9]. Food and water, the primary source of infection, are mainly contaminated by human excrement and play an important role in transmission of human infection. African Health Sciences Vol 15 Issue 2, June 2015 dence of G. intestinalis infection in developed countries could not be explained by this fact alone and it might comprise of zoonotic transmission as well by fecal contamination from animal sources[10,11]. On ingestion of eggs by humans, mice or rats, the oncospheres start crawling inside their shells and eventually reach the lumen of the intestine[16]
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