Impact of the season and prevalence of intestinal parasitosis at the Notre Dame de l’Espérance University Hospital Center, Democratic Republic of the Congo

<ns3:p>Background Intestinal parasitoses are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Africa. The tropical climate in the D.R. Congo provides parasites with an environment conducive to their proliferation. The prevalence rates of intestinal parasitoses remain poorly understood in the D.R. Congo. Objective This study aims to estimate the overall and specific prevalence of intestinal parasitoses and to determine an association between intestinal parasitoses and the season at CHUNDE. Methods From January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021, patients for whom a direct stool examination was requested at the Notre Dame de l’Espérance University Hospital Center were included in this study. Stool samples were collected and examined under an optical microscope. Results During the period of the study, we recorded 187 patients aged 2 to 77 years. The prevalence of intestinal parasitoses was 75.40%. The specific prevalence rates for parasites were as follows: <ns3:italic>Entamoeba histolytica</ns3:italic>, the most common, with a prevalence of 55.08%, followed by <ns3:italic>Pentstrichomonas hominis</ns3:italic> and <ns3:italic>Giardia lamblia</ns3:italic> with respective prevalence rates of 9.09% and 6.24%. <ns3:italic>Ascaris lumbrucoide</ns3:italic> had a prevalence of 27.81%, followed by <ns3:italic>Schistosoma mansoni</ns3:italic>, <ns3:italic>Ancylostoma duodenalis</ns3:italic>, and <ns3:italic>Enterobius vermicularis</ns3:italic> with respective prevalence rates of 3.74%, 1.60%, and 1.07%. There was no association between the season and the overall prevalence of intestinal parasitoses. Conclusion The prevalence of intestinal parasitoses was higher. There is no statistically valid association between the season and the prevalence of intestinal parasitoses.</ns3:p>