Prevalence and Risk Factors for Intestinal Parasitosis among Internally Displaced Yemeni Children in Sana'a City

Objective: This study was conducted as preliminary research to determine the prevalence and risk factors for intestinal parasitosis (IP) among internally displaced Yemeni children (IDYC) in Sana'a city.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional study, a total of 400 children, 210 (52.5%) males and 190 (47.5%) females, aged 1-12 years, with a mean age of 7.9 ± 2.8 years, were recruited from five displaced camps of Sana'a city. Relevant data were enrolled by means of a questionnaire. Single fecal specimens were collected, processed, and examined by direct" saline & Iodine," formol-ether concentration, and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining techniques for detecting IP 

Results: The overall prevalence of IP was found to be 63.8% (255/400). Infection with protozoa was higher than helminths (42.8% vs. 26.3%, respectively). G. lamblia was the most frequently detected protozoan (18.5%), followed by E. histolytica/ dispar (16.2%), whereas the coccidia of Cryptosporidium spp. and C. belli were the lowest (6.8% and 1.2% respectively). A. lumbricoides ranked the first helminth (11.2%), followed by H. nana (7.8%), while the Hookworm was the lowest (0.3%). Age group of 6-12 years old (AOR=2.7; P=0.003), behavioral factors related to not washing hands before meals (AOR=2.0; P=0.043) and not trimming nails (AOR=2.5; P=0.017) were risk factors "independent predictors" for IP among displaced children.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the prevalence of IP among internally displaced Yemeni children in Sana'a city is substantial. This was mainly due to protozoa. Age-related demographics and behavioral factors concerning handwashing and nail trimming were the independent-significant risk factors for IP among displaced children.