Prevalence of Hymenolepis nana Among Individuals Referred to Health Centers in Iranshahr, Southeastern Iran (2020-2021)

Background and purpose: Hymenolepis nana is one of the most prevalent intestinal parasites infecting humans, particularly children. It poses a significant public health threat in underprivileged communities in southeastern Iran. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hymenolepiasis and identify the associated risk factors among asymptomatic individuals and patients with gastroenteritis in Iranshahr. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 17,455 outpatients and inpatients with gastrointestinal symptoms referred to the health centers affiliated with Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences. The study was carried out between April 2020 and March 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Direct wet mount microscopy was employed to detect Hymenolepis nana eggs in fresh stool samples. A binomial logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between hymenolepiasis and relevant risk factors. Results: The overall prevalence of Hymenolepis nana infection was estimated at 0.28%. The higher infection rate was observed in patients from Iran Hospital (0.37%), followed by patients from Reference Laboratory (0.24%) and Khatam Hospital (0.16%). Having diarrhea was significantly associated with the likelihood of having hymenolepiasis (AOR: 31.3; 95% CI: 11.6-84.4; P=0.000). The infection prevalence was significantly higher during 2020-2021 (AOR: 2.74; 95% CI: 1.49-5.02; P=0.001). There was also a significant relationship between the prevalence rate of infection and the health center visited (AOR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.08-0.35; P=0.000). Conclusion: Hymenolepiasis is common in Iranshahr. The prevalence of the infection is influenced by factors such as having diarrhea and the specific health center visited. Furthermore, a decreasing trend in the prevalence rate of Hymenolepis infection during the COVID-19 pandemic was observed, suggesting that measures like healthcare services, health education, and improvements in environmental hygiene are effectively contributing to the reduction of infection prevalence.