Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among Thai people with mental handicaps
Sirivichayakul, C.; Pojjaroen-anant, C.; Wisetsing, P.; Siripanth, C.; Chanthavanich, P.; Pengsaa, K.
Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 34(2): 259-263
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-1562 PMID: 12971546 Document Number: 565467
The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was studied by stool examination in institutionalized and non-institutionalized Thai people with mental handicaps. It was found that the prevalence of infection was much higher in institutionalized (57.6%) than in non-institutionalized people (7.5%). The common parasites found in institutionalized people were Trichuris trichiura (29.7%), Entamoeba coli (23.1%). Giardia intestinalis (8.0%), Hymenolepis nana (7.8%), and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (7.1%). Institutionalized mentally handicapped people should be considered as a high risk group for intestinal parasitic infection and a parasitic control measure should be emphasized.