Prevalence Of Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Saudis and Expatriate Workers In Najran, Saudi Arabia

Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common diseases worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) among Saudis and expatriate workers in Najran region, Saudi Arabia. A direct wet smear from each stool specimen (n=407) was examined microscopically for the presence of intestinal protozoa or helminth ova cysts. stools were also examined by the formalin-ether sedimentation technique within 1 hour to detect eggs, cysts, and oocysts of intestinal parasites. The total intestinal parasitic infection rate in the study area, Najran district, was 14.7% (60 out of 407), where protozoal infection was the highest by 11.6%, and that included Entamoeba histolytica (7.6%), Giardia lamblia (2%), and Cryptosporidium parvum (2%). While the infection with Enterobius vermicularis was 1.2%. The rate of intestinal parasitic infections was 6.1% in employees, and 3.2% in each of construction workers and house maids. The intestinal parasitic infections in Saudi people were 24.3%. The highest rate of expatriate workers participation in the study was of Egyptians with a percentage of 18.2%followed by Indian and Pakistani with percentages of 11.8% and 9.6% respectively. The highest rate of IPIs infection was in adulthood (30-49 years) with 9.3%. The control of intestinal parasitic infections is a politically and socially sensitive issue. In others, the control of intestinal parasitic infections has proved a useful entry point for other primary health care activities, e.g., in family planning, childcare, health education, and nutrition.