Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zakho, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
J Infect Dev Ctries. 2023 Apr 30;17(4):542-549. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17478.
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is the third major contributor to human mortality and morbidity outside of malaria and schistosomiasis. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of Entamoeba spp. among outpatients of two teaching hospitals in Duhok city who agreed to participate in the study from April 2021 to March 2022 to assess the impact of associated risk variables on the infection rate.
Stool specimens were collected from outpatients suffering from diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms in two teaching hospitals: Azadi and Heevi Pediatric in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region- Iraq. The collected stool specimens were examined macroscopically, followed by microscopic examination using the direct wet mount and zinc sulfate flotation methods, respectively.
Infection with Entamoeba species was recorded in 21.68% (562/2592) of the analyzed specimens. Males had a significantly higher infection rate than females (67.43% vs. 32.56%). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.000). The highest rate was seen in the age group 1-10 years (p < 0.001). Lower levels of education, low incomes, eating unwashed fruits and vegetables, drinking well water, eating frequently outside of homes, not using antidiarrheal medications and living in overcrowded families were risk factors that showed high levels of infection (p < 0.0001).
The present study concluded that improving living conditions, providing clean water, and promoting health education programs are essential to reduce the rate of this disease among the population.
内阿米巴原虫（Entamoeba histolytica）是一种原生动物寄生虫，在疟疾和血吸虫病之外，是导致人类死亡和发病的第三大主要原因。本横断面研究的目的是估计 2021 年 4 月至 2022 年 3 月期间在杜胡克市两所教学医院就诊的门诊患者中内阿米巴属（Entamoeba spp.）的流行率，以评估相关风险变量对感染率的影响。
从杜胡克市两家教学医院（阿扎迪和 Heevi 儿科医院）患有腹泻和其他胃肠道症状的门诊患者中采集粪便标本。采集的粪便标本分别进行肉眼检查，然后分别用直接湿载片法和硫酸锌漂浮法进行显微镜检查。
在所分析的 2592 份标本中，有 21.68%（562/2592）感染了内阿米巴属。男性的感染率明显高于女性（67.43%比 32.56%）。这种差异具有统计学意义（p<0.000）。年龄在 1-10 岁的人群中感染率最高（p<0.001）。受教育程度较低、收入较低、食用未清洗的水果和蔬菜、饮用井水、经常在外面就餐、不使用止泻药以及居住在拥挤家庭的人群是感染率较高的危险因素（p<0.0001）。
本研究表明，改善生活条件、提供清洁水和开展健康教育计划对于降低该人群的疾病发生率至关重要。
