PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG EXPATRIATE WORKERS IN AL-AIN, UNITED-ARAB-EMIRATES

A retrospective study was conducted among expatriate workers in Al-Ain City, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to determine the prevalence of path ogenic parasitic infestation. The study was based largely on expatriat es arriving from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Philippines, Sri L anka, and other Arab countries and mainly employed as food handlers, h ousemaids, baby sitters, and private drivers. This group represents 45 .7% of the total number of new arrivals of expatriates during the peri od between 1 January 1985-31 December 1988. Stool specimens were exami ned in 60,268 screened individuals, of which 14.010 were found to be p ositive with pathogenic intestinal parasitic disease. Overall parasiti c prevelance was 23.1%. The most common parasites found included: Ancy lostoma species (6.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (6.6%), Trichuris trichiu ra (6.2%), and Giardia lamblia (2.4%). The distribution of intestinal parasites among expatriates was different for all nationalities. The r esults showed that Giardia lamblia was more prevalent among Iranians ( 54.7%) and Pakistanis (42.2%). Ancylostoma species was found to be mor e prevalent among Sri Lankans (33.3%) and Indians (39.6%). Ascaris lum bricoides was more prevalent among Bangladeshis (33.1%), and Trichuris trichiura was more prevalent among Filipinos (40.2%).