Prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal helminthic infections in children from Lorestan province, Western Iran

BACKGROUND: Intestinal helminthic infections are among the most important global socioeconomic and health problems. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of intestinal parasites in 366 children aged 2 to 15 years referred to the main pediatric health center of Lorestan Province, Iran. METHODS: Microscopic analysis was performed on 366 stool samples. We applied direct smear, scotch tape, and formol-ether methods. Moreover, a questionnaire was filled in by parents or guardians of the children. RESULTS: The results showed that 36 children (9.8%) were infected with at least one or more intestinal parasites. The most prevalent parasites were Enterobius vermicularis (6.8%), Hymenolepis nana (1.9%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (0.55%), in the order of their appearance. Statistical analysis showed that several risk factors were significantly associated with the prevalence intestinal helminthic parasites, including male sex (OR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.2–6.2; p < 0.05), residing in rural regions (OR = 4.2; 95% CI: 2.1–10.6; p < 0.001), no handwashing habit before eating (OR = 5.2; 95% CI: 2.2–12.5; p < 0.001), and consuming raw or unwashed vegetables and fruits (OR = 4.8; 95% CI: 2.3–11.2; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study showed a high overall frequency of intestinal helminthic infections among the children in Lorestan province, Iran. The results of the risk factor analysis suggest that improving environmental hygiene and health education would be important for effective control of intestinal parasitic infections.