INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS AMONG CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS ATTENDING IBN- KOLDON HOSPITAL, LAHAJ, YEMEN

ABSTRACT

This study reports the results of a cross-sectional survey carried out in October 2011 to September 2012 to investigate the epidemiology of intestinal parasitism among the children and -adolescents in Lahaj Governor ate, Yemen. A cross sectional survey of 476 children and adolescents who are less than twenty years in Ibn- Koldon Hospital, was conducted at hospital on a pretested self-administered questionnaire. We investigated the prevalence of intestinal parasites [protozoa and helminthes] in patients with gastrointestinal complaints in medical centers in Ibn koldon Hospital in Lahaj Governor ate, Yemen, and Laboratory of Faculty of Education -Aden University. Stool smears were examined under light microscope for intestinal parasites [protozoa and helminthes] detection were confirmed by Formalin - Ether sedimentation technique. All stool and blood samples were examined and socio-recorded information was retrieved. The prevalence of parasitic infection among children and adolescents were 54.6%. 43.3% with single infection and 11.4% with multiple infections. The proportion behveen males [56.69%] and females [52.25%] was different in patients with symptoms of intestinal parasitic infection [cases]. Majority of intestinal parasitic infection of children tmd adolescents [36.2%] were among 16-20 years of age. The lower infection less than' one third 19.2% was among 11-15 years of age. E. histolytica in both [single and multi-infection] was the most common parasite 45.4% infection identified. Patients from Pir Omar, had high fractions [85.71%] with symptoms of intestinal parasitic infection. Fraction of infection in patients with symptoms of intestinal parasitic infection was peaked in the hot months July, August, September and October [66.7%, 77.27%, 45.24% and 49.6%, respectively]. Results of the questionnaire survey showed that the majority of mothers were reasonably aware about transmission of amoebiasis, giardiasis and uscariasis. Symptoms of intestinal parasitic infections, most of the mothers suggested one or more symptoms like diarrhea [48.61%], abdominal pain [71.76%], mucus with stools [24.1%], changing in odor [44.4%], gas [10.2%], loss of appetite [36.6%], abdominal distended [35.2%] and an enlarged abdomen [30.1%]. The E. histolytica detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] was 26.92% [35/130] from all positive Formalin - Ether sedimentation technique. The number of E. histolytica, G. lamblia and A. lumbricoides detected increased with the sedimentation technique methods and Formalin - Ether sedimentation technique. A good percentage of children and adolescents were infected by parasitic protozoa and helminthes and re-enforces the need for an urgent effort to check the unnecessary and avoidable heavy parasites load