Prevalence of Giardia Lamblia in Children with Diarrhea in Tirana

Blegina Arapi, Betim Byku, Andi Koraqi

Abstract: Giardia lamblia is one of the most common intestinal parasites of humans. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of G. lamblia in children less than 10 years old with diarrhea in Tirana district in 2013. This cross sectional study was conducted on children less than 10 years old with diarrhea referred to public health microbiological laboratory of Tirana district from January to December 2013. Of the total of 678 stool 301 (44.4%) were females, and 377 were males (55.6%) (fig.1). Among the cases' age groups, the lowest positivity rate was detected in children 1-2 years old. In contrast, the highest percentage of positive cases were detected in children aging 4-6 years of age (7.6%), followed by those between 6 and 8 years of age (9.8%). the highest rate of positive cases was recorded in February (12%), while the lowest cases were recorded in July (1.7%). No drug or vaccine can prevent giardia infection. But common-sense precautions can go a long way toward reducing the chances that you'll become infected or spread the infection to others.

Keywords: Giardia lamblia, children, diarrhea, prevention