Prevalence of intestinal parasites in Lorestan Province, West of Iran

Abstract

ObjectiveTo study the prevalence of intestinal parasites in Lorestan Province, West of Iran. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 2 838 stool samples in Khorramabad, Lorestan Province in 2013. Samples were examined by the several techniques. ResultsThe frequency of intestinal parasites was 465 (16.4%) of which 188 (13.5%) samples were for urban areas and 277 (19.2%) for rural areas. Infection in rural areas was significantly higher than urban areas. Out of 465 infected samples, 456 (98%) were contaminated with protozoan parasites and 9 (2%) with helminthes. Infection in people who sometimes used the soap to wash hands was significantly more than those who always used soap (P<0.001). Infection in people with poor economic conditions was significantly more than the two groups with moderate and good economic conditions (P<0.001). ConclusionsEffective reasons for the reducing incidence of intestinal parasites in Lorestan Province could be the development of universities with more students led to increased awareness, improvement of the environment, increase of the ease of access to health care centers, increase of advertising in provincial mass media about health training, increased health culture, and dispose of sanitary waste properly.