Dysentery Disease Prevalence Among Pediatric Population Under 12 Years of Age
Abstract
Amebiasis, caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, poses a significant health concern in developing countries, particularly among children with clinical symptoms of diarrhea. However, there is a lack of comprehensive data on its prevalence in specific regions and age groups. This study aimed to address this gap by determining the prevalence of E. histolytica from January 2018 to December 2021 among children with diarrhea symptoms at Al-Hussein hospital in Nasiriyah city, Thi-Qar Province, Iraq. A total of 9168 stool samples were collected and directly examined, revealing a higher prevalence of E. histolytica infections in males compared to females, with a notable increase in infants under one year old. Additionally, the study examined injury statistics across different age and gender groups. Results indicate a higher incidence of infections in the 45–15 age group, with the lowest cases observed in children under one year old. Notably, in 2020, there was a complete absence of infection, suggesting potential interventions' effectiveness. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions to mitigate the spread of E. histolytica infections, especially among vulnerable populations.
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