Intestinal parasitic infections among adult staff from a public university residential halls in Bangladesh

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infestation (IPI) is a significant health problem around the world, affecting 3.5 billion people and causing 200,000 deaths annually. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestation among the staff of four residential halls of a public university in Bangladesh. Faecal samples (n=100) were collected from staff of four residential halls to detect parasite eggs and larvae. The Formal-Ether Concentration Technique was used to determine the parasite prevalence from the study samples. Each participant was interviewed with a detailed questionnaire to obtain sociodemographic and behavioral information. Seven intestinal parasite species were identified, including protozoa (Blastocystis spp. and Cystoisospora spp.), cestodes (Diphyllobothrium latum and Hymenolepis spp.), and nematodes (Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, and Trichuris trichiura). Blastocystis spp., Ascaris lumbricoides, and Cystoisospora spp. exhibited the highest prevalence, whereas Enterobius vermicularis and Trichuris trichiura were relatively uncommon. Cestodes Diphyllobothrium latum and Hymenolepis sp. showed varied prevalence. No statistically significant differences in parasitic infestation were observed regarding age, gender, toilet type, or education level (p > 0.05).  The high parasitic prevalence observed among the university residential staff highlights the need for continuous screening to prevent faeco-oral transmission of parasites.  These findings will provide guidelines for the authorities to develop effective control strategies for IPIs.

Bangladesh J. Zool. 54(1): 97-112, 2026