title: Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Jiroft, Kerman Province, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intestinal parasitic infections have a worldwide distribution. High prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in individuals with low socioeconomic status and environmental conditions was found. No study has ever been conducted on the prevalence of these infections in Jiroft. Therefore, in this study prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was evaluated in Jiroft, Kerman Province, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1060 individuals from rural and urban areas of Jiroft were sampled accidentally, during 2013-2014. Fresh stool samples were collected from all individuals and examined by formalin ether concentration and agar plate culture. Direct examination was performed on watery samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 1060 individuals, 563 (53.1%) and 497 (46.9%) people were from rural and urban areas, respectively. In general, 297 individuals (28%) were infected with intestinal parasites. The prevalence of infection for protozoa and helminthes infections were 27.4% and 1.8%, respectively. The most prevalent protozoans wereBlastocystis hominis(13.7%) andGiardia lamblia(7.8%), and that of helminth wasHymenolepis nana(1.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intestinal protozoan parasites were more prevalent than helminth parasites. Source of water supply and personal hygiene were important factors in the distribution of parasites in the study area.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medical Parasitology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barkhori Mahni
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medical Parasitology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rezaeian
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medical Parasitology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Eshrat Beigom
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Kia
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raeisi
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medical Parasitology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Khadijeh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khanaliha
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medical Parasitology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tarighi
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medical Parasitology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Bahare
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kamranrashani
keywords: Intestinal parasites; Iran; Prevalence; Water supply