Distribution Patterns and Risk Factors of Intestinal Parasites Among Different Populations in Duhok Province, Iraq
PDF

Keywords

Intestinal parasite
Entamoeba histolytica
Amebiasis
Prevalence
Risk factor

How to Cite

Mustafa haji, H., Abduljalil, N., Subhi, P., Ibraheem, H., Bahjat, R., Arteen, Z., & Ameer, C. (2025). Distribution Patterns and Risk Factors of Intestinal Parasites Among Different Populations in Duhok Province, Iraq. Journal of Life and Bio Sciences Research , 6(01), 45 - 49. https://doi.org/10.38094/jlbsr601146

Abstract

Enteric infections are a major public health concern worldwide, and they are more common in places with insufficient water sources, poor sanitation, low socioeconomic situations, and poor hygiene habits. Most causes of enteric infection may be due to Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and some helminths have a serious role in intestinal disease. The present study aimed to investigate the frequency of intestinal parasites (eggs and cysts) in various age groups and sexes with respect to the level of sanitation and personal hygiene in different levels of education, according to the source of eating and drinking of people in different areas in Duhok province. Outpatients with diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders provided stool samples. at the Kurdistan Region of Iraq's Duhok area at nine teaching and private hospitals: Azadi and Heevi Pediatric, Amedi, Semel, Shekhan, Sidra, Vin, Awni, and Ghazi. The faeces specimens that were obtained were analyzed macroscopically for composition and consistency before being studied under a microscope using the direct wet mount technique. Infection with an intestinal parasite was recorded in about 849 (28.3%) positive from the 3000 examination specimens. The highest rate of intestinal parasite was due to Entamoeba histolytica 94.4 %( 802/849), mostly in the age group 0–10 years (42.4%), high prevalence of amebiasis in male in center of Duhok and Shekhan about 428(50.4%), 14 (1.6%) from total 849 infection samples respectively and high rate of amebiasis in female in Amedia and Semel 33 (3.8% ),45(5.3% ) from total 849 infection samples respectively and high level of giardiasis recorded in female in center of Duhok and Semel 18(2.1%), 11(1.2%) respectively from total infection samples and these different was statistically significant p<0.05, primary levels of education about (62.1%), drinking filter water (85.9%), eating outside home (53.3%), There was a statistically significant change (p < 0.05). that is, risk factors that show elevated infection levels. According to the present research, improved health depends critically on better living conditions, clean water, and promotion of health education. This disease must be reduced among the population by implementing these measures.

https://doi.org/10.38094/jlbsr601146
PDF

References

Abed, R.J. (2024). The Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among pediatric patients in Kut, Iraq: A comparative study by means of microscopy and multiplex Pcr. Journal of Medical Genetics and Clinical Biology, 1(9), 60-71.

Alberfkani, M.I. (2021). Prevalence and molecular identification of some parasites and pyoderma associated with scabies among displaced people in Zakho camps, Kurdistan region, Iraq. PhD thesis, University of Zakho, Iraq.

Alharazi, T., Bamaga, O.A., Al-Abd,N., Alcantara, J.C. (2020). Intestinal parasitic infection: Prevalence, knowledge, attitude, and practices among schoolchildren in an urban area of Taiz city, Yemen. AIMS Public Health, 7, 769–777.

Ayeh-Kumi, P.F., Quarcoo, S., Kwakye-Nuako, G., Kretchy, J.P., Osafo-Kantanka, A., Mortu, S. (2009). Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among food vendors in Accra, Ghana. Journal of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, 32(1), 1–8.

Coulibaly, J.T., Fürst, T., Silué, K.D., Knopp, S., Hauri, D., Ouattara, M., Utzinger, J., N'Goran, E.K. (2012). Intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren in different settings of Côte d'Ivoire: Effect of diagnostic approach and implications for control. Parasites & Vectors, 5, 135.

Haji, H.M., Bamarni, S.S.I. (2023). Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia in children in Duhok province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Journal of Duhok University, 26(1), 274-280.

Harhay, M.O., Horton, J., Olliaro, P.L. (2010). Epidemiology and control of human gastrointestinal parasites in children. Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy, 8, 219-234.

Hasan, H.K., Eassa, S.H., Khalid, H.M. (2023a). Prevalence of Entamoeba Histolytica and Giardia Lamblia in Children Visiting to Heevi Pediatric Hospital in Dohuk City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Journal of Medicinal and Chemical Sciences, 6(10), 2292-2299.

Hasan, H.K., Mero, W.M.S., Mohammed, A.B. (2023b). Prevalence of amoebiasis and associated risk factors among the population in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, 17(4), 542–549.

Hasan, H.K., Mohammed, A.B., Mero, W.M.S. (2024). Detection and molecular identification of Entamoeba species in faecal samples from Duhok province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Annals of Parasitology, 70(2), 91-101.

Hassan, A.O., Mero, W.M. (2020). Prevalence of intestinal parasites among displaced people living in displacement camps in Duhok Province/Iraq. Internet Journal of Microbiology, 17, 1-8.

Ismail, K.A. (2018). Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among school children in Taif. Insights in Biomedicine, 3(2), 10.

Jameel, A.Y., Issa, A.R., Amidy, K. S., Mero, W.M.S., Sabri, M.A., Khdihir, M.A. (2017). Prevalence of intestinal parasites under fingernails of primary school children in Zakho, Kurdistan Region. Science Journal of University of Zakho, 5(1), 25-27.

Jameel, H.S., Eassa, S.H. (2021). Intestinal parasite infestation and its risk factors: a cross-sectional survey among children in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region Iraq. Duhok Medical Journal, 15(1), 81-95.

Kagei, N. (1983). Techniques for the measurement of environmental pollution by infective stage of soil transmitted helminths. M Yokogawa, Collected Paper on the Control of Soil Transmitted Helminthiases, APCO, Tokyo, 2, 27-46.

Klein, S.L., Flanagan, K.L. (2016). Sex differences in immune responses. Nature Reviews Immunology, 16, 626–638.

Luong, T.V. (2003). De-worming school children and hygiene intervention. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 13, S15-S159.

Mohamed, M.M., Ahmed, A.I., Salah, E.T. (2009). Frequency of intestinal parasitic infections among displaced children in Kassala Town. Khartoum Medical Journal, 2, 175-177.

Mahmood, F.S.A., Mustafa, H.B. (2020). Molecular identification and prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar and Entamoeba moshkovskii in Erbil City, Northern Iraq. Polish Journal of Microbiology, 69(3), 1-10.

Mustafa, U., Adnan, S., Gonul, A., Hatice, O., Suleyman, A. (2001). Environmental pollution with soil-transmitted helminths in Sanliurfa, Turkey. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 96(7), 903-909.

Nath, J., Ghosh, S.K., Singha, B., Paul, J. (2015). Molecular epidemiology of amoebiasis: A cross-sectional study among North East Indian population. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 9, (12), e0004225

Quihui, L., Valencia, M.E., Crompton, D.W.T., Phillips, S., Hagan, P., Morales, G. (2006). Role of the employment status and education of mothers in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Mexican rural schoolchildren. BMC Public Health, 6, 1-8.

Rinne, S., Rodas, E.J., Galer-Unti, R., Glickman, N., Glickman, L.T. (2005). Prevalence and risk factors for protozoan and nematode infections among children in an Ecuadorian highland community. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 99, 585-592.

Sackey, M.E., Weigel, M.M., Armijos, R.X. (2003). Predictors and nutritional consequences of intestinal parasitic infections in rural Ecuadorian children. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, 49(1), 17-23.

Saida, L.A. (2016). Epidemiological study of intestinal parasites among the population of Erbil city, Kurdistan, Iraq. Journal of Raparin University, 3, 75-86.

Stephenson, L.S., Latham, M.C., Kinoti, S.N., Kurz, K.M., Brigham, H. (1998). Improvement in physical fitness in Kenya schoolboys infected with hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, and Ascaris lumbricoides following a single dose of albendazole. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 84, 277-282.

World Health Organization. (1987). Public health significance of intestinal parasitic infections. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 65(5), 575–588. [Cited August 2011]. Available from: http://www.searo.who.int/en/Section10/Section17/Section53/Section482_1804.htm.

World Health Organization. (2010). Neglected Tropical Diseases - PCT Databank.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2025 Array