Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoans among Schoolchildren in Suburban Areas near Yangon,Myanmar |
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Authors: | Min-Jae Kim Bong-Kwang Jung Jaeeun Cho Deok-Gyu Kim Hyemi Song Keon-Hoon Lee Seon Cho Thi Thi Htoon Htay Htay Tin Jong-Yil Chai |
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Affiliation: | 1Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea;2Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 03722, Korea;3National Health Laboratory, Yangon 11191, Myanmar |
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Abstract: | Although intestinal protozoans are common etiologies of diarrhea, few studies have been conducted in Myanmar. This study planned to investigate the prevalence of Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, and Endolimax nana among schoolchildren and their guardians in suburban areas near Yangon, Myanmar. We performed a cross-sectional survey among schoolchildren and their guardians from 7 primary schools in South Dagon and Hlaing Thar Yar districts, Yangon, Myanmar. Stool samples were observed with a microscope after concentration technique and iodine staining. Total 821 stool samples, including 556 from schoolchildren and 265 from guardians, were examined. The median age was 6 years old for schoolchildren and 36 years old for guardians. A 53.1% of the school children and 14.6 % of the guardians were males. The overall prevalence of each intestinal protozoan species was as follows: 3.4% (28/821) for G. lamblia; 3.5% (29/821) for E. coli; 1.2% (10/821) for E. histoytica, and 3.0% for E. nana. This study showed that intestinal protozoans are common in primary schoolchildren and their guardians in suburban areas near Yangon, Myanmar. Health interventions, such as hand washing education, improvement of sanitation, and establishment of water purification systems are urgently needed in this area. |
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Keywords: | Giardia lamblia Entamoeba histolytica Entamoeba coli Endolimax nana prevalence schoolchildren Myanmar |
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