PREVALENCE OF GIARDIA-LAMBLIA INFECTION IN THE CITY OF RIYADH, SAUDI-ARABIA

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of giardiasis among adults and children, males and females, Saudis and non-Saudis, of various socio- economic levels in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Design: Cross sec tional study of individuals visiting primary health care centers in Ri yadh. Finding cysts or trophozoites in fecal samples by microscopic ex amination using formalin ethyl acetate concentration technique was the method of choice. Setting: Primary health care centers, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Subject: A total of six hundred individuals of different natio nalities, 85 Saudi children, 397 Saudi adults, 23 non-Saudi children, 95 non-Saudi adults. Main outcome measures: Giardiasis among subjects of different education, nationalities and socio-economic status using simple microscopic stool analysis. Results: Thr overall prevalence rat e was 28.5%. For children, adults, females, males, non-Saudis; Saudis was 76.8%. 17.8%, 45.5%, 22.5%, 28.8% and; 28.4% respectively. Nationa lity was not a significant factor in the prevalence of giardiasis whil e age and sex were significant factors at P<0.0005. Conclusion: Water, personal hygiene and sanitation are contributing factors in the sprea d of giardiasis, This study could be of value for health care workers, sanitary engineers and health policy strategies.