Prevalence of Parasitic Infections in Children of Some Rural and Suburban Areas in Wasit Province, Iraq

Intestinal parasitic infections are a public health burden and a major cause of illness in many countries worldwide. The diseases lead to various health threats including growth retardation and mental health-related disorders, especially in children. The study aims to investigate the prevalence and typing of the species of intestinal parasites among children of both sexes who undergoing different abdominal disturbances in some rural and suburban areas located in Wasit province (Iraq). A total of 500 children of <10 years old and both sexes with a history of abdominal disturbances (diarrhea, abdominal pain, and/or anemia) were selected from different rural and sub-urban areas in Wasit province (Iraq). Fresh fecal samples were collected into plastic containers and examined traditionally using three diagnostic methods: direct saline/iodine wet mount, acid fast stain, and cellophane tape. This study revealed that 46.8% of the study population was infected with at least one intestinal parasite. Subsequently, single infection was shown in 78.21%; while, mixed infections were seen in 21.79% of the study population. According to the number of parasites identified in each mixed infection, 82.35%, 15.69%, and 1.96% were reported with two, three, and four parasites, respectively. In single infections, the prevalence rate of Entamoeba histolytica and Enterobius vermicularis was the highest whereas Balantidium coli, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, Taenia spp., and Hymenolepis nana were the lowest. According to sex, the prevalence rate of intestinal parasites was significantly higher in males (69.66%) than in females (30.34%). According to study areas, our findings revealed that intestinal parasitic infections were, significantly more prevalent in suburban (54.7%) than rural (45.3%) areas. According to the findings of this study, different intestinal parasitic infections can infect children of both sexes in rural and suburban areas; however, the prevalence rate of these species is varied significantly in relation to each factor. It is important to understand the prevalence and effects of each infection among various areas and the association of each parasite to different risk factors such as age, sex and area in order to effectively implement therapeutic interventions and prevention controls.