RETRACTED: Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestation in Ma'an governorate, Jordan

Objective: To determine the prevalence of parasitic infection among the population of Ma ’an\udgovernorate. Methods: A retrospective analysis of laboratory records of stool specimens of\udpatients seen in Ma'an hospital (in different specialties) during the period of 1 January 2009 to 31\udDecember 2009 was carried out for the detection of intestinal parasites. Results: The total number\udof stool samples in the survey examined in this retrospective study was 1 999, and the number\udand percentage of positive samples were 338 and 16.9%, respectively. The highest incidence of\udintestinal parasites was during summer months (June-October), while the lowest incidence was\udduring winter months (December-January). Six different parasitic species were detected. The\udhighest frequency was among males both adult and children and was higher in adult males and\udfemales than children (male and female). Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia (80.7% and\ud15.7%, respectively) were the commonest species detected while Entrobius vermicularis (0.9%),\udStrongyloides stercoralis (0.6%), and hookworms (0.9%) were the least common. Conclusions:\udThe results indicate that intestinal parasites in Ma'an governorate (south of Jordan) is not a\udmajor public health problem. Nevertheless, a comprehensive health education program and\udimprovements to environmental sanitation should be developed to keep this health problem under\udcontrol