Prevalence and time-trend analysis of intestinal parasitic infections in north-central Iran, 2012-2016

摘要

Intestinal parasitic infections are still considered as health challenges,predominately in the areas with low sanitation and socioeconomic conditions. Owing tothe socioeconomic impact, these infections are considered as important Neglected TropicalDiseases in developing countries, including Iran. This study aimed to evaluate theprevalence and time-trend of intestinal parasitic infections in Nazarabad, Alborz Provincenorth-central Iran. In a cross-sectional study, medical records of 4427 suspected cases ofintestinal parasites, referred to the Nazarabad health network, from 2012 to 2016 werereviewed. Bio-data, as well as laboratory data, were extracted after obtaining ethicsapproval. The descriptive and time-trend analyses were applied to the data. Linearregression analysis was used for the time-trend analysis. The results indicated that 18.0%of the cases to have at least one parasite in their intestine. A total of 4.5% (36/798) ofpositive cases has mixed infection. The median age was 31 with a range from 4 to 84 years.There are 12 different parasites detected. Blastocystis (9.2%) and Giardia (7.4%) weremore prevalent parasites in the cases. Time-trend analysis showed a decreasing trend ofthe infection from 2012 to 2016. The most prevalent infection was found in the springmonths. These infections are still among the health challenges in north-central Iran. Moreinvestigations are needed to determinate the main sources of these parasites in this area.More effective control programs are needed to combat these infections, especially in thespring and summer months.