Trends of intestinal parasites prevalence in the Gaza Strip, 1998-2007: the use of government health records

Abstract

To evaluate the amount of intestinal parasite infections over a 10-year period in the Gaza Strip. Materials and methods: Data from the Epidemiology Department, Ministry of Health were collected and analyzed statistically. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was monitored and studied for the period 1998-2007. Results: The present study shows results including the records of 471,688 patients (all ages) who had every provided 1 stool specimen to the laboratories of primary health care centers in one of the 5 governorates of the Gaza Strip. It was found that 116,261 specimens were positive for intestinal parasites, representing an overall prevalence of 24.6%. Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia were the most frequently detected intestinal parasites; there is a clear variation in the prevalence of intestinal parasites due to season. Conclusion: Intestinal parasites still constitute a health problem and there were fluctuations in the prevalence from 1998 to 2007. It is recommended that there is a need for health authorities to review health records periodically and examination of stool specimens by one method should be reviewed.