title: Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among Patients of Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients of a tertiary care hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 12,054 samples received from the outpatient as well as inpatient departments from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2009 in Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Stool examinations were performed by direct method and concentrated Techniques for all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, the prevalence of intestinal parasites was 6.2% (740 cases). Majority of patients were infected by Entamoeba histolytica (4.7%) followed by Giardia lamblia (1.3%), while Ankylostoma duodenal (0.02%) exhibited the minimum prevalence. Parasitic infections were more frequent in non-Saudis than Saudis patients (7.1% vs. 5.8%; p<0.05). There was no significant difference between males and females regarding parasitic infections, with a female:male ratio of 1:1.08. There was a higher prevalence in patients under five years of age (9.1%), followed by patients aged 5-14 years (7.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The notable finding from this study is the high prevalence of E. histolytica. Overall, parasitic infections were more prevalent in patients under five years of age and in non-Saudi nationals.
authors: Dina Am
authors: DA
authors: Zaglool
authors: Yousif Aw
authors: YA
authors: Khodari
authors: Zohair J
authors: ZJ
authors: Gazzaz
authors: Khalid O
authors: KO
authors: Dhafar
authors: Hani As
authors: HA
authors: Shaker
authors: Mian U
authors: MU
authors: Farooq