Armaghane Danesh Bimonthly Journal (Apr 2024)
Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice of Ahvaz Laboratory Workers Regarding Blastocystis Hominis During 2018-2019
Abstract
Background & aim: Blastocystis hominis is one of the most common protozoa found in the intestines of humans and animals. However, its pathogenicity, diagnosis, and treatment remain a challenge. The purpose of the present study was to determine and evaluate the knowledge and practice of Ahvaz laboratory workers regarding Blastocystis hominis during the years 2018 to 2019. Methods: The present a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 464 laboratory employees working in private and public laboratories in Ahvaz, Iran, during the years 2018-2019. The present study used a questionnaire and face-to-face and electronic interviews to evaluate the level of knowledge and practice of the laboratory staff regarding the protozoan Blastocystis hominis. The collected data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical tests, t-test, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Tukey's post hoc test. Results: Out of the 464 participants in the study, 22.8% answered the questions through face-to-face interviews, and 77.2% answered the questions electronically. The minimum and maximum number of participants were associates (10.3%) and experts (56.7%), respectively. 67% of the participants had more than 10 years of work experience. More than 85% were aware of the protozoan nature of Blastocystis hominis. Over 50% of the participants considered Blastocystis hominis as one of the causes of diarrhea and abdominal pain, but their awareness of other clinical symptoms such as hives was low (12.3%). The practice of about 93% of the participants in using the direct expansion method was acceptable as a suitable diagnostic method for Blastocystis hominis. The relationship between work experience and their practice regarding this protozoan was also significant (p=0.007). Conclusion: The present study indicated that laboratory staffs had an acceptable level of knowledge about Blastocystis hominis, but their performance in dealing with this protozoan was not at an acceptable level. Despite having proper knowledge about this protozoan, it seems that it has not received the attention it deserves within the laboratory community, and it is not of special importance among the intestinal parasites that are routinely reported. Therefore, it is important to bring more focus on this parasite in the field of medicine, especially in the teaching of parasitology to students of various medical fields, as well as through scientific conferences and refresher courses. This would help ensure the adoption of correct diagnostic and treatment methods for Blastocystis hominis.
