Investigating the intestinal parasitic infections in Gonbad e Kavous in 2013

Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most important infectious diseases that are associated with individual and public hygiene. Every year millions of people are infected with some sort of intestinal parasites worldwide. In Iran there are different types of intestinal parasites that cause economic, social, and health losses. The aim of the cross-sectional study was to investigate the extent of intestinal parasites present in stool samples collected from health care centers in Gonbad e Kavous in summer 2013. A total of 2139 samples were examined using direct (normal saline or Lugol's solution) and formalin-ether methods. The results were analyzed using SPSS v.16 software. The results showed that out of 2139 individuals 31(1.45%) were infected with parasites namely; Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli , Entamoeba histolytica / Entamoeba dispar, Hymenolepis nana and Enterobious vermicolaris.The study also showed that intestinal parasite infection as a public health problem still exists among a large number of people in Gonbad e Kavous and a detailed and standard plan is needed to control and eradicate these agents in infected areas.