A prospective study on parasites among expatriate workers in Al-Baha from 2009-2011, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Al-Baha is an area with large influx of expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia. This study was carried out from October 2009 to January 2011 on expatriate workers (2000) to determine the prevalence of parasitosis. Urine and stool samples were collected and specifically examined. The results showed that 1079 (53.95%) were infected with one or up to ten parasitic species. Trichuris trichiura had the highest prevalence 190 (17.6%). Other helminthes were Ascaris lumbricoides 179 (16.58%), Ancylostoma duodenal 163 (15.10%), Hymenolepis nana 120 (11.12%), Taenia saginata 119 (11.02%), Strongyloides stercoralis 28 (2.59), Enterobius vermicularis 16 (1.48%), and Schistosoma mansoni 4 (0.37%). Protozoan parasites were Giardia lamblia 152 (14.09%) and Enta-moeba histolytica 108 (10.0%). Besides, Fasciola species was detected in an Egyptian worker and Dicrocelium dendriticum in one Syrian worker. Parasitic infections were higher among Indonesian people 447 (41.42%) followed by Indian 247 (22.89%), Bangladeshis 118 (10.93%), Philippines 96 (8.89%), Pakistani 94 (9.71%), Seri-Lankan 55 (5.09 %) and lastly Egyptian & Syrian 22 (2.03%) workers. The occupational imperatives, beliefs and general life style were contributing factors to the prevalence of parasites among the workers in Al-Baha.