Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoan Parasites among Children attending the Hevi Pediatric Hospital in Duhok Province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Abstract

This study aims to determine the prevalence rate of intestinal protozoan infection among children, in Duhok Province, North of Iraq, during the period between October 2022 to May 2023. A cross-sectional study was done among 740 children attending Hevi Pediatric Hospital, Duhok Province, Iraq. First, all collected stool samples were examined directly by preparing a wet stool smear for detection of the vegetative stage (Trophozoite) of both E. histolytica and G. lamblia. Then, all stool samples were preserved at - 22°C till used for identification of cysts of protozoa and oocysts of C. parvaum by the Telmman concentration stool method. The average child’s age was between 1-14 years in the current study. Out of the 740 stool samples collected, 205 (27.7%) were positive for intestinal protozoan infections, as follows: 160 children (78.0%) tested positive for E. histolytica, 35 children (17.1%) were positive for C. parvum, and only 10 (4.9%) were positive for G. lamblia. However, the results indicate a statistically significant difference between the prevalence of E. histolytica, C.parvum, and G. lamblia infections across different age groups. This result is significant at a P value < 0.05. The highest infection rates of intestinal protozoa, including E.histolytica, C. parvum, and G.lamblia, were reported in age groups between 5-9 years (53.75%, 25.0%, and 60.0%) respectively, then followed by age groups between 1-4 years (28.75%,20.0% and 30.0%) respectively, and finally followed by age group between 10-14 years (17.55, 8.6%, and 10.0%) respectively. The prevalence of amoebaisis and cryptosporidiosis was reported higher than in the other studies done in Iraq, while the prevalence of giardiasis was reported at a lower rate than the rate reported before in Iraq and Duhok mainly. These infections continue to pose a difficult public health issue and necessitate the implementation of stronger and more effective preventative measures.