IngentaConnect Intestinal parasitic infection and associated risk factors, among...

Authors: Maia, M.M.M.¹; Fausto, M.A.²; Vieira, E.L.M.¹; Benetton, M.L.F.N.³; Carneiro, M.¹

Source: Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Volume 103, Number 7, October 2009 , pp. 583-591(9)

Abstract:

In a cross-sectional study, the prevalences of intestinal parasitic infection and the associated risk factors were explored among children aged 0-10 years attending outpatient clinics in Manaus, the capital city of the north Brazilian state of Amazonas. Data indicating socio-economic level and demographic factors were collected in interviews with the accompanying parent or guardian of each child. Parasitic infections were detected by the microscopical examination of faecal samples, while nutritional status was categorized by reference to the growth curves published by the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. The data collected were analysed in a mixed, logistic-regression model.

Of the 451 children tested, 58.7% were found to have intestinal parasitic infection, the most prevalent parasites being Giardia lamblia (21.5%), Endolimax nana (17.9%), Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar (13.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (13.5%) and Trichuris trichiura (4.9%). The prevalences of stunting, underweight and wasting among the children were 17.5%, 14.7% and 9.8%, respectively. There was no association between intestinal parasite infection and any of these indicators of malnutrition. Children whose accompanying parent/guardian was poorly educated and the elder children investigated were found to be at relatively high risk of intestinal parasitic infection (P<0.05 for each). Intestinal parasitic infections still clearly represent an important public-health problem in the northern region of Brazil.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1179/000349809X12459740922417

Affiliations: 1: Programa de Pós Graduação em Parasitologia, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Caixa Postal 486, 31279-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil 2: Escola de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, 35400-00 Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil 3: Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Avenida General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, Bairro Coroado, 69077-000 Manaus, AM, Brazil

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Intestinal parasitic infection and associated risk factors, among children presenting at outpatient clinics in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil