Social and health indicators in an academic community: enteroparasites, nutritional, allergic and clinical aspects / Indicadores sociais e de saúde em uma comunidade acadêmica: enteroparasitos, aspectos nutricionais, alérgicos e clínicos

Objective: this study aimed to associate enteroparasitic infection with nutritional, allergic, and clinical repercussions and the sociodemographic aspects in an academic community in Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil. Methods: the cross-sectional research was carried out between February 2018 and March 2020, with 121 participants. Spontaneous sedimentation and Rugai techniques were used for the parasitological diagnosis of fecal samples. Allergies and clinical issues and the sociodemographic aspects were studied via a questionnaire, and the nutritional status was obtained from the assessment of body mass index and arm and abdominal circumferences. Results: there was 38.2% positivity for intestinal parasites; 65.9% for female participants; with the majority of eutrophic, between 18-27 years old; heteronormative, and single. Besides, the Endolimax nana (78.7%) and Giardia duodenalis (21.3%) were the predominant species. Statistical significance was found between obesity rates and the presence of intestinal parasites and those with allergic aspects. Nervousness, headache, and back and abdominal pains were the most common symptoms. Conclusions: this study contributes to obtaining data on epidemiological and public health surveys in the Bahian territory, providing a reference for other researchers. The statistical association of these with nutritional and allergic aspects can support future research on this population.

Objetivo: este estudo teve como objetivo associar a infecção enteroparasitária com aspectos nutricionais, alérgicos, clínicos e sociodemográficos em uma comunidade acadêmica do município de Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brasil. Método: a pesquisa transversal foi realizada entre fevereiro de 2018 e março de 2020, com 121 participantes. As técnicas de sedimentação espontânea e Rugai foram utilizadas para o diagnóstico parasitológico de amostras fecais. Alergias, questões clínicas e aspectos sociodemográficos foram estudados por meio de um questionário, e o estado nutricional foi obtido por meio da avaliação do índice de massa corporal e das circunferências braquial e abdominal. Resultados: houve 38,2% de positividade para parasitos intestinais; 65,9% para participantes do sexo feminino; com a maioria eutrófica, entre 18-27 anos; heteronormativa e sigle. Além disso, Endolimax nana (78,7%) e Giardia duodenalis (21,3%) foram as espécies predominantes. Foi encontrada significância estatística entre as taxas de obesidade e presença de parasitos intestinais e com aspectos alérgicos. Nervosismo, dor de cabeça, dores nas costas e abdominais foram os sintomas mais comuns. Conclusões: este estudo contribui para a obtenção de dados sobre inquéritos epidemiológicos e de saúde pública no território baiano, servindo de referência para outras pesquisas. A associação estatística destes com aspectos nutricionais e alérgicos pode subsidiar futuras pesquisas nesta população.

Enteric parasites and socio-epidemiological variables in na academic community

Studies linking human health to environmental conditions are essential since parasitic diseases are connected to environmental and sanitary aspects. This study identified the prevalence of enteric parasites in an academic community in the municipality of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil. The purpose was to determine the existence, or not, of links between infections and socio-epidemiological variables, such as personal hygiene habits, the presence of sewage systems and the environment. Participants answered a questionnaire and received universal collectors for fecal samples. Spontaneous sedimentation methods and Rugai were used for diagnosis. One hundred twenty-one samples were analyzed, in which a 38.8% parasite prevalence was detected as well as a 61.7% rate of monoparasitism, as well as a predominance of protozoa Endolimax nana (78.7%) and Giardia duodenalis (21.3%). Among parasitized individuals, 97.9% lived in the Recôncavo Baiano region. The following statistical significance stands out in the findings, with p<0.05: individuals who had already bathed in the local river were more likely to be parasitized than those who had not (p = 0.034) and individuals who washed their hands more frequently before meals proved to be less prone to intestinal parasitic infections (p = 0.018). Results evidenced the presence of enteric parasites in a number of participants in spite of their being university students. The socio-epidemiological variables analyzed brought to light characteristics that favor the establishment of the epidemiological infection triad, such as improper packaging of household waste on disposal and no records of regular domestic water tank cleaning.

Avaliação de enteroparasitos presentes no organismo de manipuladores de alimentos de escolas municipais do Recôncavo da Bahia / Evaluation of enteroparasites present in the oeganism of food handlers of municipal schools in the Recôncavo of Bahia

Objetivo ­ Indivíduos diretamente ligados com a manipulação dos alimentos podem representar fonte potencial de contaminação e disseminação de patógenos. A identificação da ocorrência de enteroparasitos em manipuladores de alimentos pode contribuir na prevenção da contaminação de alimentos. Este estudo investigou a presença de enteroparasitos em manipuladores de alimentos de escolas de um município do estado da Bahia. Métodos ­ Foram analisadas 19 amostras fecais de merendeiras de oito escolas públicas. As técnicas utilizadas foram: Sedimentação espontânea, Rugai, Kato Katz e Faust e Graham (fita adesiva). Resultados ­ A análise parasitológica mostrou 52.6% de positividade para parasitos intestinais nas fezes dos manipuladores, com presença de Endolimax nana, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba coli, Iodamoeba bustchlii; Enterobius vermicularis e Ascaris lumbricoides. Conclusões ­ A partir dos dados, sugere-se que práticas inadequadas por parte dos manipuladores ao preparar os alimentos podem funcionar como veículo/vetor dos agentes parasitários encontrados

Objective ­ Individuals directly linked to food handling may represent a potential source of contamination and dissemination of pathogens. The identification of the occurrence of enteroparasites in food handlers can contribute to the prevention of food contamination. This study investigated the presence of enteroparasites in food handlers from schools in a municipality in the state of Bahia. Methods ­ A total of 19 faecal samples from eight public schools. The techniques used were: Spontaneous sedimentation, Rugai, Kato Katz and Faust and Graham (adhesive tape). Results ­ The parasitological analysis showed 52.6% positivity for intestinal parasites in the feces of the manipulators, with Endolimax nana, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba coli, Iodamoeba bustchlii; Enterobius vermicularis and Ascaris lumbricoides. Conclusions ­ From the data, it is suggested that inappropriate practices by the manipulators when preparing the food can function as a vehicle / vector of the parasitic agents found.

Enteroparasites, demographic profile, socioeconomic status and education level in the rural population of the Recôncavo of Bahia, Brazil

Demographic and social studies, as well as economic and cultural factors in a community are important regarding public health. This study identified demographic, socioeconomic and cultural aspects correlated with intestinal parasites in the population of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia-Brazil, from July to October 2015. 53 semi-structured questionnaires were applied to the rural population of the municipality with previous clarification on the purpose of the study. There were questions related to the individual's gender, family income and parental level of education. Laboratory parasitological analyzes were performed to investigate enteroparasites and produced the following results: 53.7% (n=58) were female; 62.8% (n=66) with monthly family income lower or equal to the minimum wage and 48% (n=48) of adults with incomplete basic education. The main enteroparasites found in this population were: Iodamoeba butschlii, Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar complex, Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba coli and Endolimax nana in addition to some geohelminths, such as hookworms and Enterobius vermicularis. The profile visualized can be understood as a risk factor for the development of certain parasitic infections that are intrinsically associated to the social and economic aspects of vulnerable populations.