Investigation of the Prevalence of Strongyloides Stercoralis and other Intestinal Parasites in Patients with Psychiatric Disorders Admitted to Sina Hospital in Hamadan in 2021

Background & aim: Infection with Strongyloides stercoralis is endemic worldwide and its prevalence is higher in warm and humid regions and poor countries.The frequency of infection is higher in people with immunodeficiency and in collective centers, including centers for patients with psychiatric disorders and prisoners, where hygiene principles are not fully observed, and dangerous parasitic infections such as Strongyloides stercoralis have been frequently reported.As a result, the present study aimed to determine and investigate the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis and other intestinal parasites in patients with psychiatric disorders hospitalized in Sina Hospital in Hamadan. Method:The present descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021.The study population were patients with psychiatric disorders hospitalized at Sina Hospital in Hamadan, Iran.The method of searching for Strongyloides stercoralis and other intestinal parasites in feces included direct vision, formalin ether sedimentation method, and modified agar plate culture.The collected data were analyzed using the chi-square statistical test. Findings:The results obtained from the present study on the feces of 370 patients with psychiatric disorders hospitalized at Sina Hospital in Hamadan did not indicate any contamination with Strongyloides stercoralis.Infection with other parasitic agents included the protozoan cysts Blastocystis hominis (9 people) 2.43%, Giardia lamblia (6 people) 1.62%, Entamoeba coli (2 people) 0.54%, and Iodamoeba buetschlii (1 person) 1%.The chi-square test with p<0.05 indicated a higher frequency of intestinal parasites in men of the target population. Conclusion:Apart from the lack of suitable environmental and climatic conditions for establishing a freeliving cycle of Strongyloides stercoralis in Hamadan province, other reasons such as the increase in public health following the coronavirus pandemic and the possible antiparasitic effects of antidepressant drugs can be effective in controlling and eliminating Strongyloides stercoralis in the target population.The reduction in Giardia infection in the present study to 62.1% (compared to previous similar studies) was promising for improving water supply, sewage, and public health systems.