Investigation of the Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoan Infections and Associated Factors Among HIV+/AIDS Patients in Kurdistan Province, Iran

Background and Aim: Intestinal parasitic infections are among the major health problems worldwide. The symptoms and signs of these infections can range from mild to severe depending on the type of parasite and host conditions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among HIV+/AIDS individuals and evaluate the impact of certain demographic factors on these infections in Kurdistan Province. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 161 stool samples were collected using a convenience sampling method from HIV+/AIDS individuals in Kurdistan Province. After obtaining informed consent, demographic information such as age, gender, residence, drinking water source, and history of animal contact was collected through questionnaires for each patient. All samples were examined using direct smear, formalin-ether concentration, and Ziehl–Neelsen staining methods. The obtained data were analyzed using independent t-tests and Fisher's exact test. Results: Of all samples analyzed, 53 cases (32.9%) were infected with one or more intestinal protozoa. Among the identified protozoa, Blastocystis (19.3%) had the highest prevalence, while Iodamoeba butschlii (1.9%) had the lowest. The overall frequency of protozoan infections did not significantly affect the demographic variables studied (P > 0.05). However, untreated drinking water was significantly associated with Cryptosporidium infection (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Intestinal protozoan infections are prevalent among HIV+/AIDS individuals in Kurdistan Province. Therefore, the results of this study provide crucial information for healthcare providers to facilitate accurate diagnosis and design intervention programs to improve patient care and reduce the prevalence of these infections in the region.