ABSTRACT
Intestinal diseases caused by parasites are a worldwide public health problem and contribute to social and economic problems, especially among low-income populations, which lack basic conditions and hygiene. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of intestinal parasites in students between 7 and 14 years of age from rural and urban areas of Campos Novos, Santa Catarina. A total of 109 fecal samples, stored in SAF solution, were analyzed by spontaneous sedimentation and centrifuge-fluctuation methods. Twenty-four (58.5%) and 21 (30.9%) samples were positive for the presence of parasites in the rural and urban areas, respectively, indicating a higher prevalence in rural areas. Among 8 distinct parasites identified in samples, Ancylostomatidae (hookworm) (35%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (28.3%) were the most abundant, followed by Entamoeba coli (25%), Giardia lamblia (5%), Balantidium coli (1.6%), Iodamoeda sp. (1.6%), Isospora belli (1.6%) and Trichuris trichiura (1.6%). Polyparasitism (hookworm and A. lumbricoides) was identified in one student from a rural area. Also, B. coli was identified in one sample and could indicate contamination of the human water supplies with pig manure. Moreover, the sanitary conditions in the rural and urban areas were very distinct, which may have contributed to the difference between the numbers of students infected with those parasites. In conclusion, these data suggest a higher prevalence of parasites in students from rural areas and that an improvement in sanitary conditions in rural areas is necessary in order to reduce parasitism in this population.