Abstract
Aims
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the diagnosed gastrointestinal parasites among hospitalized children attending the Al-Nasser Paediatric Hospital.
Method
This was a cross-sectional study among hospitalized children attending the Al-Nasser Paediatric Hospital. The study included 522 children during the period May 2002 to May 2003. Data collection included two methods: medical laboratory results for the examination of stool specimens and a questionnaire. Wet mount using saline and Lugol’s iodine and formal ether sedimentation techniques were employed in the present study.
Results
Evidence for infection with the gastrointestinal parasites was found in 176 (33.7%) of the children. The intestinal parasites were most prevalent in females (38.8%). The most highly prevalent parasite was found to be Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (26.4%) and the monthly high prevalence of intestinal parasites was in February (54.5%). The prevalence of intestinal parasites increased significantly with increasing age for both Giardia lamblia and E. histolytica/dispar.
Conclusions
The study showed a high prevalence of E. histolytica/dispar infection among hospitalized children. Hygiene and health measures should be reviewed in the hospital where nosocomial infection cannot be excluded. The diagnostic techniques for stool specimens should be reviewed and improved. Physicians in hospitals and private clinics should be aware of intestinal parasitic diseases when requesting stool specimens and prescribing drugs.
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Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank the staff of Al-Nasser Paediatrics Hospital represented by Dr. Abdel Rahman Aisa and Laboratory Director Shaker Abu-Shabaan for their help during collection of samples and extend gratitude to the children and their families who participated in the study.
Conflict of interest statement
The author confirms that there are no relevant associations that might pose a conflict of interest.
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Al-Hindi, A. Diagnosis of gastrointestinal parasites among hospitalized patients attending Al-Nasser Paediatric Hospital, Gaza, Palestine. J Public Health 17, 49–53 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-008-0211-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-008-0211-z