DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i09.031

Pages: 3307-3310

Giardia Lamblia is a virulent protozoan parasite that is regarded as the most common intestinal pathogen worldwide, particularly in developing countries due to its high prevalence. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence rate of the Giardiasis in children of the kindergartens of Islam Abad Gharb city, Iran in 2011. This descriptive-analytic study was performed on 532 pre-school children (280 were female and 252 were male) in the kindergartens of Islam Abad Gharb city with an average of 0-6 years. Using a questionnaire, data were collected. The samples were randomly selected. Three samples of feces were taken alternately and then tested by two methods including direct and formalin-ether. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS. In this study, 172 children (32.3%) were infested with both pathogenic and non-pathogenic intestinal parasites. Infestation rate of intestinal protozoan was 29.8%, of intestinal worms was 2.5% and of Giardiasis was 16.16%. Prevalence rate of Giardiasis in rural kindergartens was 9.59%. Given the prevalence of Giardiasis in children, the prevalence of such disease should be prevented by continuous training of teachers, particularly rural kindergartens and the parents on the observance of the principles of personal hygiene.