Background: Present study aimed to investigate prevalence of Giardia intestinalis and Hymenolepis nana in Afghan refugees visiting Central Health Unit (CHU), Kot Chandana (Mianwali, Northern Punjab) during two years period (February2007 to December 2009). Methods: A total of 687 stool samples were collected from different age groups of both genders. Samples were processed under sterile conditions after gross examination. Microscopic examination was done on same day along with eggs (H. nana), cyst  and trophozoites (G. intestinalis) detection after staining. Results: The prevalence of G. intestinalis was significantly higher (x2=59.54, p<0.001) than that of H. nana. Females were found more likely to be infected as compared to males (OR: 1.40, 95% CI=1.03-1.92). Prevalence of both parasites decreased with age and highest prevalence was observed in young individuals belonging to 1-15 years of age group (41.8% and 48.7% respectively for H. nana and G. intestinalis, p<0.001). Abdominal distress (OR: 1.13, 95%CI=0.83-1.53), vomiting (OR: 1.13, 95%CI=1.13-1.81) and rectal prolapse (OR: 4.26, 95%CI=1.38-13.16) were the gastro-intestinal clinical symptoms observed in G. intestinalis. Whereas, bloody diarrhea (OR: 1.56, 95%CI=1.00-2.43) and rectal prolapse (OR: 5.79, 95%CI=1.87-17.91) were associated with H. nana infections. Conclusions: Intestinal parasitic infections are common among Afghan refugees and serious preventive measures should be implemented to promote the safety and healthy lifestyle of these people. © 2015 Makerere University, Medical School. All rights reserved.

Giardia intestinalis Hymenolepis nana Punjab Afghan refugees Prevalence

Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population Pakistan Afghanistan refugee vomiting Giardia poverty human sex difference Refugees middle aged feces analysis statistics and numerical data giardiasis Aged respiratory tract disease Animals ethnology animal Young Adult Humans classification Adolescent male preschool child female Infant risk factor Risk Factors Child, Preschool diarrhea Hymenolepis nana prevalence isolation and purification Incidence Article hymenolepiasis major clinical study adult Feces pneumonia Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic age distribution microbiology Rectal Prolapse abdominal distress disease association abdominal discomfort microorganism detection rectum prolapse bloody diarrhea Afghan Child