Infection Rate and associated Risk Factors of Giardia duodenalis infection in Children of Diyala Province

Abstract

Giardia duodenalisis one of the most prevalent human intestine protozoan parasites, also found in a broad variety of mammalian hosts all over the world. The goal of this study was to determine the infection rate of Giardiasis and risk factors in patients sent to health facilities and hospitals in Diyala province, Iraq. Out of 100 stool specimens collected from children suffer from diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea, and abdominal cramps , based on microscopic inspection, the frequency of giardiasis was 7% ). The highest infection rate 10 % in up 4-5 year category and the lowest infection rate 4.65% recorded in up one year category. While, the infection rate was highest in male samples 8.16% than female samples 5.88%. Regarding the giardiasis according to the house system, most people who were infected were living in the city centre at ratio 9.25%, followed by 4.34 % in persons living in the country side. On the other hand, the infection rate of Giardia infection was 6.89%,4.16% and 8.51% to the tap water, Reverse Osmosis(RO) water and filter water respectively. The findings of this study show that area of study was a giardiasis prevalent with a source of infection route and water basis.