Frequency of intestinal parasites in drug addict persons

This study was conducted to investigate the frequency of intestinal parasites in individuals who are addicted to drugs and to reveal its importance. The study was conducted between May 2019 and February 2020 in Van Yuzuncu Yil Medical Faculty Parasitology Research Laboratory and Health Sciences University Van Regional Training and Research Hospital. The patient group was composed of 150 addicted patients who applied to the AMATEM (Alcohol and Drug Addicted Treatment Center) Van Health Education University Van Regional Training and Research Hospital, and the control group was composed of 75 patients who did not have any chronic illness and did not use cigarettes, alcohol or drugs. Stool samples were evaluated by native-Lugol method and modified acid-fast staining method. In this study, one or more intestinal parasites were found in 21.3% of 150 patients who were addicted to drugs and 10.7% of 75 patients in the control group. In our study, it was determined Giardia intestinalis 7.3%, plenty Blastocystis hominis 2.7%, Hymenolepis nana 0.7% in the patient group. In terms of the frequency of parasite, a statistically significant difference was found between the patient group and the control group (p= 0.03). Considering the frequency of parasite by age groups, intestinal parasites were found at a higher rate in the 35 and younger age group (23.8%) than in the 35 and older age group (17.2%). Intestinal parasite positivity was found at the highest rate (23.8%) in those using methamphetamine. Constipation (79.3%) and diarrhea (23%) were most common in the group of drug addicts. Among the drug addicts included in the study, parasite positivity was found to be the highest (33.3%) in the chauffeur and the lowest (11.5%) in the farmers. G. intestinalis was found in two of 19 people with hepatitis among 150 people who were addicted to drugs. With this study, the frequency of intestinal parasites in drug addicts was determined and it was revealed that both contributed to the literature and intestinal parasite infections were one of the worst consequences of drug addiction. In conclusion, our findings showed that intestinal parasites should be taken into account in drug addicts. Also, more detailed studies involving more people should be done to obtain information about intestinal parasite infections. Key Words: Intestinal Parasites, Drug Addicts, Prevalence