Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

A survey of prevalence of intestinal parasites among the expatriates and native Emirati people attending Ministry of Health hospitals in Sharjah, United Arab Emirate was performed during the year 2008 and 2009. Stool examination from 10,514 patients (64% expatriates and 36% native Emiratis) was performed. Eight hundred fourteen specimens of the 10,514 examined were found to be positive for intestinal parasites. The infection rates were 15.7% and 3.2% among the native and expatriate population respectively (odds ratio = 5.5). The rate of infection in males (58%) was higher than in females (42%). Overall, protozoa infections (92.2%) were higher than the helminth infections (7.8%). Entamoeba histolytica (71.8%) and Giardia lamblia (17.5%) were the commonest intestinal parasites identified. Among the helminths, Ancylostoma dudenale and Ascaris lumbricoides were the common ones. In comparison to helminthic infestations, protozoa infections were more common among the native Emirati population than the expatriate population. The high prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infections among the local Emirati people clearly indicates that there is continuous ongoing transmission of various parasitic infections in the community.

Prevalence and Predictors of Intestinal Parasitic Infections at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 2019 to 2023: A Retrospective Study

“… 26 Additionally, previous studies were inconsistent with our results and mentioned that Entamoeba histolytica was the most common protozoa seen among patients. 14 , 21 , 23 , 27 , 28 The difference between our findings and others may result from the fact that the growth and transmission of these types of parasites depends on several factors, including geographic and socio-economic factors, poverty, malnutrition, relatively humid regions, personal and community hygiene, high population density, and health status. 7 …”

“…It was indicated in previous surveys of variable countries that the prevalence rate of intestinal infection was 13.3% in India, 15 8.8% in Iran, 16 10.2% in Qatar, 17 ranging from 32.0 to 41.5% in Palestine, 18 64.4% in Sudan, 19 57.9% in Iraq, 20 7.7% in UAE, 21 and 58.7% in Yemen. 22 In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence rate of intestinal infection was 27.2% in Al-Ahsa, 23 6.2% in Makkah, 14 47.01% in Jeddah, 24 and ranging from 2.3 to 39.7% in Riyadh.…”

A Review of the Importance of Stool Test in the Diagnosis of Intestinal Parasites

“…Intestinal parasites are considered health problems in many countries, especially in developing countries. One of the important indicators of health and well-being of any society is the status of people in that society with parasitic infections (1,2). Infection with these parasites is one of the problems and obstacles to economic and social development in most countries of the world and despite the continuous efforts and extensive planning of the World Health Organization, they are still one of the main health problems in developing countries.…”