THE PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTION IN RURAL AREAS OF TONEKABON, IRAN

The intestinal parasitic infection is one of the major health problems in northern parts of Iran, especially in rural areas. In order to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and the effect of some factors such as age, sex, region on the prevalence of intestinal parasites, a study was carried out in rural areas of Tonekabon, Caspian littoral, from Jul. 1991 to Feb. 1992. A total of 2368 stool samples were randomly collected from different age groups in 27 plain and mountain village. The samples wee examined by direct and formalin – ether concentration methods. 74.6% of samples wee positive for at least one species of intestinal parasites. The prevalence of intestinal helminthes was: Trichuris trichiura 22.5%. Ascaris lumbricoides 16.3%, Strongyloides stercoralis 10.3%, Hook Worms 4.6%, Trichostrongulus. spp. 3.7% and Hymenolepis nana 3%. The prevalence on intestinal protozoa was: Giardia lamblia 29.6%, Entamoeba histolytica 9.6%, Dientamoeba fragilis 2.5%. The rates for Taenia saginata and Enterobius vermicularis (non specific method) were 0.5% and 2.1%, respectively.