The Changing Face of Helminth Infections: A 15-Year Temporal Analysis from Eastern Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND

Helminth infections remain a significant health challenge worldwide, particularly in regions with diverse population demographics like Saudi Arabia. This retrospective study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile, temporal trends, and seasonal patterns of helminth infections in Eastern Saudi Arabia over a 15-year period (2009-2024).

METHODS

A comprehensive retrospective analysis of data from helminth-positive patients attending King Fahd Hospital of The University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. We analyzed demographic characteristics, helminth species distribution, temporal trends, and seasonal patterns among 115 confirmed cases.

RESULTS

The study population had a mean age of 40.20 ± 12.64 years, with most infections (59.1%) occurring in the 36-50 age group. Female patients comprised 55.7% (n = 64) of the study population, while males accounted for 44.3% (n = 51). Non-Saudi nationals represented 83.5% of cases, with Filipino (29.6%) and Indian (17.4%) nationals most frequently affected. Ascaris lumbricoides (31.3%) and hookworm (16.5%) were the predominant helminth species. The highest number of cases was recorded in 2013 (14.8%), with a notable declining trend thereafter. Winter exhibited the highest prevalence (36.5%) of infections, and 63.5% of cases presented as emergency visits. Gender-specific seasonal patterns were observed, with females showing higher spring prevalence (37.5%) and males higher autumn prevalence (33.3%).

CONCLUSION

This study reveals distinct epidemiological patterns of helminth infections in Eastern Saudi Arabia, characterized by predominance among non-Saudi nationals, winter seasonality, and declining trends over the study period. These findings highlight the need for targeted screening among expatriate populations and season-specific preventive strategies in non-endemic settings with substantial migrant populations.