Intestinal parasitosis in asylum seekers from the Middle East and South Asia

  • Tijana Relić Public Health Institute of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Hranislav Kačarević Public Health Institute of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Nevenka Ilić Public Health Institute of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
  • Dara Jovanović Public Health Institute of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Zoran Tambur Military Medical Academy, Institute of Hygiene, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Radoje Doder University of Defence, Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Ivana Lazarević University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Belgrade, Serbia
Keywords: parasitic diseases;, refugees;, diagnosis;, feces;, serbia.

Abstract


Background/Aim. It is estimated that about 230 million refugees and asylum seekers circulates worldwide. Parasito­sis are diagnosed in recent years with increasing frequency both in Europe and other developed countries. Interna­tional migration of population, as an inalienable part and a result of the process of globalization, has an increasing im­pact on health of the population of countries through which migrants pass or settle. The aim of this study was to deter­mine the incidence of intestinal parasitic diseases in asylum seekers on the territory of Belgrade. Methods. The study group included 97 asylum seekers from the Centre for Asy­lum seekers in Obrenovac, in the period December 2013–January 2014. Stool samples were taken less than seven days after arriving to the Center and sent to the Laboratory for Parasitological Diagnosis of the Public Health Institute of Belgrade. Detection of parasites in stool samples was per­formed by a direct native slide made of fresh sample and di­rect slide made after stool concentration applying "Mini Parasep" technique. Statistical analysis included application of χ2-test of matching and χ2-test of independence. Results. The study showed that the parasites were detected in 9.3% of cases, in the group of 15–24 years of age. Protozoa were found in 6.2% and helminthes in 3.1% of the samples. Conclusion. Most intestinal parasitosis were found in asy­lum seekers from Bangladesh. All parasitosis were found in males and the most frequently detected parasite was Giardia lamblia.

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Published
2021/01/08
Section
Short Report