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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDBMC public health

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in pre-school and school-aged Iranian children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

  • Hassan Taherahmadi1
  • Nasim Rahmani2
  • Sayed Hussain Mosawi3
  • Zahra Gharibi4
  • Faezeh Mohammadi5
  • Ali Asghari6
  • Morteza Habibi7
  • Aida Vafae Eslahi8
  • Milad Badri9,10
10 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Amir Kabir Hospital, Arak, Iran.
  2. 2Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
  3. 3Medical Sciences Research Center, Ghalib University, Kabul, Afghanistan. [email protected].
  4. 4Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
  5. 5School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
  6. 6Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran.
  7. 7Children Growth Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non- Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. [email protected].
  8. 8Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. [email protected].
  9. 9Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. [email protected].
  10. 10Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. [email protected].
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Abstract

Background

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a major public health challenge for children in low- and middle-income countries, linked to malnutrition, stunting, and cognitive deficits. This meta-analysis estimated IPIs prevalence in Iranian preschool and school-aged children and identified associated factors.Methods

A systematic literature search was performed across five international bibliographic databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar) to identify articles published between January 2000 and May 2025. The study protocol was in accordance with the reporting guidelines for the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE). Subsequently, 36 studies met the eligibility criteria and were incorporated into the present meta-analysis. These studies in total accounted for a total sample size of 48,930 individuals, including 3,595 school-aged children in Iran with confirmed infections.Results

Overall IPIs prevalence was 0.081 (95% CI 0.058-0.113). Among protozoa, the highest prevalence was related to Giardia lamblia (0.080, 95% CI: 0.056-0.112) and the most prevalent helminths, was Enterobius vermicularis (0.031, 95% CI: 0.020-0.048). Preschool children showed the highest rate of infection (0.130, 95% CI: 0.070-0.210).Conclusion

To reduce intestinal parasitic infections in Iranian children, regular and periodic screening of pre-school and school-aged children is recommended, particularly in humid regions where prevalence is highest. Health systems within schools must be evaluated and strengthened, including proper sanitation facilities, handwashing infrastructure, and hygiene education. Additionally, school-based deworming programs, environmental measures such as reducing soil contamination in playgrounds, and community health campaigns discouraging geophagy are essential to interrupt transmission cycles and prevent long-term complications.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{taherahmadi2026prevalence,
  title = {{Prevalence of intestinal parasites in pre-school and school-aged Iranian children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.}},
  author = {Hassan Taherahmadi and Nasim Rahmani and Sayed Hussain Mosawi and Zahra Gharibi and Faezeh Mohammadi and Ali Asghari and Morteza Habibi and Aida Vafae Eslahi and Milad Badri},
  journal = {BMC public health},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1186/s12889-026-28706-1},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42902198},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Prevalence of intestinal parasites in pre-school and school-aged Iranian children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AU  - Hassan Taherahmadi
AU  - Nasim Rahmani
AU  - Sayed Hussain Mosawi
AU  - Zahra Gharibi
AU  - Faezeh Mohammadi
AU  - Ali Asghari
AU  - Morteza Habibi
AU  - Aida Vafae Eslahi
AU  - Milad Badri
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/01
JO  - BMC public health
DO  - 10.1186/s12889-026-28706-1
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42902198
AB  - Background  Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a major public health challenge for children in low- and middle-income countries, linked to malnutrition, stunting, and cognitive deficits. This meta-analysis estimated IPIs prevalence in Iranian preschool and school-aged children and identified associated factors.Methods  A systematic literature search was performed across five international bibliographic databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar) to identify articles published between January 2000 and May 2025. The study protocol was in accordance with the reporting guidelines for the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE). Subsequently, 36 studies met the eligibility criteria and were incorporated into the present meta-analysis. These studies in total accounted for a total sample size of 48,930 individuals, including 3,595 school-aged children in Iran with confirmed infections.Results  Overall IPIs prevalence was 0.081 (95% CI 0.058-0.113). Among protozoa, the highest prevalence was related to Giardia lamblia (0.080, 95% CI: 0.056-0.112) and the most prevalent helminths, was Enterobius vermicularis (0.031, 95% CI: 0.020-0.048). Preschool children showed the highest rate of infection (0.130, 95% CI: 0.070-0.210).Conclusion  To reduce intestinal parasitic infections in Iranian children, regular and periodic screening of pre-school and school-aged children is recommended, particularly in humid regions where prevalence is highest. Health systems within schools must be evaluated and strengthened, including proper sanitation facilities, handwashing infrastructure, and hygiene education. Additionally, school-based deworming programs, environmental measures such as reducing soil contamination in playgrounds, and community health campaigns discouraging geophagy are essential to interrupt transmission cycles and prevent long-term complications.
SN  - 1471-2458
ER  -