Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infestation Among Expatriate Workers

Background Parasitic infestations of the gastrointestinal tract remain a common problem in third-world countries. Poverty, illiteracy, poor hygiene, scarcity of potable water, as well as the hot and humid tropical climate, are all contributing factors associated with intestinal parasitic infestation. Objective This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestation amongst expatriate workers in Benghazi City, Libya. Patients and methods A total of 250 stool samples (200 male and 50 female) were randomly collected between October 2017 to April 2018 from expatriate workers in Benghazi City, Libya. The samples examined were used to detect the presence of intestinal parasitic infestation while the study utilized a pre-tested structure. Cases were matched based on demographic parameters, such as age, gender, and nationality, while the history of diarrhea was recorded using direct smear microscopy for the detection of intestinal parasitic infestation. Results Of the 250 immigrants looking for work, 95 (38%) were found to be infested with two or more intestinal parasites. The protozoa included: Blastocystis hominis, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, and Cryptosporidium parvum (47.4%, 38.9%, 17.9%, 17.9%, and 4.2%, respectively); the non-pathogenic protozoa included the prevalence of Entamoeba coli (E. coli), which is 12.6%, and the helminth Ascaris lumbricoidesis 1.1%. Conclusion The prevalence of parasitic infection was relatively high (38%) and was affected by individual hygiene. Therefore, comprehensive healthcare education aimed at reducing parasitic infestation is needed.