title: Distribution and risk factors associated with intestinal parasite infections among children with gastrointestinal disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Prevalence and risk factors associated with intestinal parasites among children ≤ 12 years old in Nahavand county western Iran, was the objective of this search.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Intestinal parasites (IPs) are important health problems among most societies.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross sectional study was carried out during 6 months from April to September 2014 in Nahavand County western Iran. Fecal samples were collected from 500 children suffering from gastrointestinal disorders (GIDs) and examined by macroscopy and microscopic (using saline and iodine wet mount, formalin-ether sedimentation, Trichrome and modified Ziehl Neelsen staining) methods. Finally, data was analyzed using Chi-square (Chi2) test and Fisher's exact test as well as logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  21.8% (109/500) of the samples were infected by one or more IPs. The most common parasites wereBlastocystissp. (16.2%), followed byCryptosporidiumspp. (2.6%),Giardia lamblia(1.6%), andEntamoeba coli(1.6%). Prevalence of intestinal parasite infections were significantly associated with age (OR= 2.280; CI 95% = 1.375-3.830; P<0.002), gender (OR= 0551; CI 95% = 0.348-0.875; P<0.011), contact with domestic animal or soil (OR= 0.492; CI 95% = 0.282-0.860; P<0.013) and seasons (OR= 2.012; CI 95% = 1.254-3.227; P<0.004). There was a significant correlation between IPs with diarrhea (OR= 3.027; CI 95% = 1.712-5.345; P<0.001) and nausea or vomiting (OR= 3.261; CI 95% = 1.281-8.175; P<0.013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blastocystissp. was the most prevalent parasites among children in Nahavand County and Helminthes infection have been dramatically decreased. Our finding shown that gender, age, season and contact with domestic animals or soil polluted are main predictive factors for intestinal parasite infections among children in this region. Moreover, IPs infection among children with gastrointestinal disorders were significantly associated with diarrhea and vomiting or nausea signs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Iranian Veterinary Organization. Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamed
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kiani
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haghighi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Roya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salehi
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Eznollah
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Azargashb
keywords: Children; Distribution and risk factors; Parasitic infection; Western Iran