[Prevalence of cryptosporidium and risk factors related to cryptosporidiosis in hospitalized children under 5 years of age due to diarrhea [Shahrekord-2005]]

ABSTRACT

Cryptosporidium is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite which is recently known as one of the main causes of diarrhea in children and immunocompromised cases. Majority of studies on this parasite in the last 3 decades focusing on immunocompromised cases has been reported from developed countries and no comprehensive study has evaluated the prevalence and risk factors related to cryptosporidiosis in Iran. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and risk factors related to cryptosporidiosis in hospitalized children under 5 years of age due to diarrhea in Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord. This is a cross-sectional and descriptive- analytical study. One hundred and seventy one stool samples were obtained from hospitalized children under 5 years of age due to diarrhea in Hajar Hospital. They were examined by ELISA method to detect Cryptosporidium Surface Antigen [CSA]. Data were collected by standard questionnaire and analyzed using statistical tests by Epiinfo2002 software. Out of 171 stool samples, 8 [5%] cases were positive for CSA. The highest frequency of infection, 6 cases [6%], was seen in children under 1 year followed by 13-24 months children with 2 cases [4%]. There was a statistically significant correlation between infection with Cryptosporidium and gender. The frequency of infection was statistically higher in boys than in girls [p<0.05]. Also a statistically significant relationship was observed between infection with Cryptosporidium and non-breast fed children and low birth weight [p<0.05]. These results showed that prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in hospitalized children under 5 years due to diarrhea in Shahrekord is similar to other parts of Iran and factors like being masculine, having a low birth weight and non-breast feeding are risk factors increasing the chance of cryptosporidiosis