Prevalence of Parasitic Infections among Cleaners Working at Public and Private Health Facilities in Dhamar Governorate, Yemen

Abstract

Background: Parasitic infections are one of the major health problems in several developing countries including Yemen.

Aim: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of parasitic infections among cleaners working at public and private health facilities in Dhamar governorate, Republic of Yemen. 

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Dhamar governorate from September 2017 to august 2018. Samples of 210 cleaning workers were examined using both direct saline method with iodine stain and spontaneous sedimentation technique in tube (SSTT) for stool specimen: Centrifuged urine method for eggs or trophozoities of urine specimen: Blood film for blood specimen. Data were collected by structured questionnaire about parasitic infections.

Results: The overall prevalence of parasitic infections was 79 %. Where, prevalence rate of single, double and multiple infections was 40.48%, 34.76% and 3.81%, respectively. According to the prevalence of each parasite species separately, the prevalence rate of Entamoeba histolytica /dispar and, Giardia lamblia was the highest (57.14 %; 41.90 %, respectively). The prevalence of others parasitic infections was found to be 8.10 % for Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis (7.14 %), Schistosoma mansoni (2.86 %), Hymenolepis nana (1.90 %), Schistosoma haematobium (1.43 %), Hookworms (0.95 %), and Trichomonas vaginalis (0.48%). However, no parasite in blood samples was detected. The prevalence of parasitic infections was higher significantly among male than female (82.75% vs. 66.7%, P=0.025); and significantly increased with the rise of working duration (per year) from one year, two years and 3-6 years to ≥7 years (70.8 %, 70.8 % and 82.1 % to 93.1 % respectively, P=0.008).

Conclusion: Prevalence of parasitic infection among cleaning workers in Dhamar is high. Gender and working duration significantly influence the prevalence. The study discovers on a big health problem can be reduced by improving of public measures of prevention and control infection in health facilities and by increasing of personal hygiene and health education among cleaning workers category particularly.