Cryptosporidiosis and other intestinal parasites in 3 Yemeni orphanages: prevalence, risk, and morbidity.

The epidemiological pattern of cryptosporidiosis and other intestinal parasites were studied among 3 orphanages in Sana'a City. A total of 292 orphans (225 males & 67 females), aged 4-20 years old were recruited. A questionnaire of demographic information, health status and other relevant information was filled out for each one. Fresh stool specimens were processed by wet mount preparation, formalin-ether concentration and MZL stain. Among 292 orphans, the overall parasitic rate was 62.7%. C. parvum showed highest prevalence (24%) followed by G. lamblia (16.8%), E. histolytica /E.dispar (13%), and then E. coli (18.5%). Hymenolepis nana was in 7.2% of children but only 3 cases of Ascaris lumbricoides. The risk of C. parvum was significantly higher in children < or = 10 years of age compared to older ones (OR = 3.86). The risk of other parasites did not differ significantly with orphans' age. Males showed 2.634 risk of C. parvum and 1.657 risk of G. lamblia compared to females with statistically significant difference. Bad personal hygiene was associated with higher risk of cryptosporidiosis (OR = 2.634, CI = 1.483-4.677) but the risk of other parasites was not significant. Diarrhea and abdominal pain were recorded in the three orphans, but without significance associated with parasites, either overall or for individual species but, A. lumbricoides was detected in 3 diarrheic children.