Current Research in Medical Sciences

en Prevalence of parasitic intestinal infections in residents of welfare centers in Babol and Amol cities in 2019-2020 بیماری های عفونی بیماری های عفونی پژوهشی اصیل Original Article Background: <a name="_Hlk85082815">Intestinal parasitic infections remain a major public health concern, particularly among vulnerable populations including the elderly and individuals with mental disabilities residing in crowded settings such as nursing homes. Given the limited data on institutionalized populations in northern Iran, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among residents of welfare centers in Babol and Amol.</a> Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during 2019–2020 among 167 residents of welfare centers in Babol and Amol, northern Iran. Stool samples were examined using direct smear, Lugol’s iodine staining, acid-fast staining, formalin–ether concentration, and flotation techniques to detect intestinal parasites. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16, with descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. Results: Overall, 8 participants (4.8%; 95% CI: 2.1–9.2%) were infected with at least one intestinal parasite, whereas 159 individuals (95.2%) were parasite-free. The most frequently detected parasite was Entamoeba coli (1.8%; 95% CI: 0.4–5.2%), followed by Endolimax nana, Giardia lamblia, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Entamoeba trophozoites (each 0.6%; 95% CI: 0.02–3.3%). The mean duration of stay in the welfare centers was 12.6 ± 0.8 years. No statistically significant associations were observed between parasitic infection and sex, age, or duration of stay (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The low prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the studied welfare centers reflects adequate hygiene standards and effective health surveillance. Nevertheless, ongoing surveillance and preventive interventions remain essential to sustain low transmission rates in this high-risk population. Prevalence, Intestinal parasitic infections, Welfare centers 8 14 http://crms.mubabol.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-290-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Arefeh Babazadeh babazade95.a@gmail.com 10031947532846002815 10031947532846002815 No Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, I.R. Iran Amirhossein Mehraban drsoheil.d@gmail.com 10031947532846002816 10031947532846002816 No Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Tahmineh Gorgani-Firouzjaee drbabazadeh@yahoo.com 10031947532846002817 10031947532846002817 No Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, I.R. Iran Parisa Sabbagh parisa.sabbagh@gmail.com 10031947532846002818 10031947532846002818 No Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, I.R. Iran Soheil Ebrahimpour drsoheil1503@yahoo.com 10031947532846002819 10031947532846002819 Yes Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, I.R. Iran Farzaneh Jafarian 10031947532846002820 10031947532846002820 No Central laboratory, Ayatollah Rohani Hospital, Babol, Iran.