Prevalence of Entamoeba Histolytica and Giardia Lamblia in Children Visiting to Heevi Pediatric Hospital in Dohuk City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia are considered as two of the most widely distributed gastrointestinal protozoan parasites in the world, especially in underdeveloped nations, where they cause serious health issues in the form of amebiasis and giardiasis, respectively. The fecal-oral pathway describes the way in which both protozoa are transmitted, specifically through the consumption of tainted food or water. This study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2021 at Heevi Paediatric Hospital in Dohuk City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, to determine E. histolytica and G.lamblia prevalence among children presenting with symptoms of diarrhoea. The direct swab of stool approach was used to analyze 2132 samples. Patients' ages ranged from less than 1 year old to over 12. According to the findings, the E. histolytica infection prevalence rates were 147(14.4%) and 188 (16.9%), respectively, in 2020 and 2021. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of G.lamblia were found to be 11.1% and 1.2%, respectively, with a statistically significant rate (P< 0.01). Intestinal parasite infections were shown to be substantially linked to both age and gender, with E.histolytica and G.lamblia infections being more common in males than females. In addition, the prevalence rates of E.histolytica and G.lamblia infection were found to be the highest and the lowest in age groups less than 1 year old and over 12, respectively, with statistical significant rate (P< 0.05). Protozoal infections are especially common in infants and young children since they have not yet acquired a fully functional immune system. To reduce the incidence of intestinal protozoan parasites, which can cause a wide variety of diseases, it is crucial to improve health conditions.