Journal of North Khorasan

Background  & Objectives: Intestinal parasitic infections are the most prevalent infections in humans in developing countries. The most common method of diagnosis of intestinal parasites in health card applicants is using three stool samples for microscopic examination. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the need for routine delivery three stool samples to check for intestinal parasites in health card applicants who refer to Eghbal health center of Urmia city.

Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study samples were collected by way of census from 2774 health card applicant, who refer to Egbal health center during 2014. All samples were examined based on direct stool smear method using normal saline. The results of one turn stool examination were compared with the results of three times stool test using proportion (Z) test.    

Results: In this study 8322 stool samples were examined. The Positive rate of infection with intestinal parasites after three stool sample examination was 0.8%. Diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections in different times showed that 90 % of these infections were detected by examining the first specimen submitted.

Conclusions: Our findings showed that one turn stool tests, instead of testing three times in asymptomatic health card applicants who refer to urban area for different times to renew their documents, are highly recommended.

Keywords:  Intestinal parasites, Stool examination, Health card examination, Urmia city