EJMS

Abstract

Parasitic infection is still a health problem in both urban and rural communities. The present study aimed to report the coproscopic prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients attending Beni-Suef University Hospital Outpatients clinic’s and evaluate the associated risk factors. Stool samples were collected from 503 patients suffering from gastrointestinal complains and/or attending the outpatients clinic’s to exclude parasitic infections. To detect different parasitic stages all samples were examined coproscopically and after using acid fast stain to detect coccidial oocysts. 42.5% of patients were harboring at least one intestinal parasites and/or commensal distributed as follow, 78.5% protozoa, 15% helminths and 6.5 % mixed infections. Entamoeba. histolytica/ dispar (11.9%) and giardiasis (10.9%) were the most frequent protozoans. Hymenolepiasis nana (3.2%) and entrobiasis (1.2%) were the most frequent helminths. Parasitosis was frequent among male (53.7%) and school age children (35%), however none were risk factors for infections. Diarrhea [odds ratio (OR) 95 % confidence interval (CI)=1.58 (1.11-2.26), P value=.007] and abdominal pain [OR (95%CI)=1.69 (1.18-2.42), P value=.003] were predictive factors for parasitosis. Stool pattern, presence of fat and RBCs with microscopic analysis (p value=.001, .003, .000, respectively) were significantly associated with infections. Still more efforts on the field of health education programs and parasitic control among school age children are needed.