Prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasites among sanitation workers and work conditions at Gaza Municipality

Adnan Ibrahim Al Hindi; Fayez Shaldoum; Nahla Mezied; Mariam Alreefi

doi:10.47419/bjbabs.v5i03.228

Authors

Adnan Ibrahim Al Hindi Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, Faculty of Health Sciences - Islamic University of Gaza, P.O. Box 108, Gaza Strip, Palestine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6338-940X
Fayez M. Shaldoum Department of Biology, College of Science, Jouf University, Sakaka, Al-Jawf, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6879-5386
Nahla Mezied Medical services, Gaza, Palestine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8281-2795
Mariam Alreefi Faculty of Science, AlEsraa University, Gaza https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2098-6968

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47419/bjbabs.v5i03.228

Keywords:

Parasites , Sanitation workers, Protection , Risk , Palestine , Intestinal

Abstract

Background and objective: Sanitation workers (SWs) are a potential source of infection for many intestinal parasites and other enteropathogenic infections as well. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites carriers among SWs at Gaza Municipality and focusing on the associated risk factors through their work.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, where stool samples were collected from 199 SWs aged between 18 to 65 years and were examined following standard parasitological methods including wet mount using saline and iodine and formal ether sedimentation technique. Demographic, environmental, behavioural and some risk factors were addressed through a questionnaire.

Results: Intestinal parasites were detected among 45/199 of the sanitation workers with a prevalence of (25.1%). Five species of protozoan or helminth infections were recorded, and the mixed infections were 2.5%. Where, most prevalent parasite among the SWs is E. histolytica while A. lumbricoides showed the lower rate of infection.

Conclusions and Recommendations: It is concluded that most of the SWs are at high risk for intestinal parasites and the associated risk factors. It is recommended that health education in general should be increased to raise awareness in addition we are in need for constant epidemiological surveillance through periodical surveys parallel with development of healthcare towards the problem of parasitic infections.

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Author Biography

Mariam Alreefi, Faculty of Science, AlEsraa University, Gaza

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