ABSTRACT
A cross-sectional study was carried out in 200 children aged 5-15 years, to examine the presence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and to assess the risk factors and clinical features associated with them in children in San Juan y Martinez (SJM), Cuba. Three fresh faecal samples were collected from each child and were examined by direct wet mount, brine flotation, formalin-ether and Kato-Katz techniques. Data relating to demography, source of drinking water, personal hygiene habits and clinical features were also collected. Living in the rural area was significantly associated with the highest infection rates (p < 0.01). According to clinical features and laboratory examinations, children with abdominal pain were about four times more likely to have IPIs (OR 4.05, CI, 1.11, 13.18) especially soil-transmitted helminths (STH). We suggest that IPIs, especially STH, in SJM should be strongly suspected in children with abdominal pain from rural areas. Targeted and frequent interventions to control these infections are needed in this municipality.
Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal en 200 niños de 5-15 años para examinar la presencia de infecciones parasitarias intestinales (IPI) y evaluar los factores de riesgo y los aspectos clínicos asociados con ellas, en niños de San Juan y Martinez (SJM), Cuba. Tres muestras fecales frescas de cada niño fueron recogidas y examinadas mediante preparación fresca directa, flotación en salmuera, éter-formalina y técnicas de Kato-Katz. También se recogieron datos en relación con la demografía, fuentes de abastecimiento de agua potable, hábitos de higiene personal y características clínicas. El vivir en el área rural estaba significativamente asociado con las más altas tasas de infección (p < 0.01). De acuerdo con las características clínicas y los exámenes de laboratorio, los niños con dolor abdominal tenían una probabilidad cuatro veces mayor de tener IPI (OR 4.05, CI, 1.11, 13.18) especialmente helmintos transmitidos por el suelo (HTS). Sugerimos sospechar fuertemente la presencia de IPIs, especialmente de HTS en SJM, en niños con dolor abdominal, provenientes de las áreas rurales. Se necesitan intervenciones frecuentes, dirigidas a controlar estas infecciones en esta municipalidad.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Animals , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Soil/parasitology , Water/parasitology , Abdominal Pain/diagnosis , Abdominal Pain/parasitology , Confidence Intervals , Cross-Sectional Studies , Cuba/epidemiology , Feces/parasitology , Helminthiasis/diagnosis , Helminthiasis/epidemiology , Hygiene , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/diagnosis , Odds Ratio , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Water Supply/standardsABSTRACT
Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal en 200 niños de 515 años para examinar la presencia de infecciones parasitarias intestinales (IPI) y evaluar los factores de riesgo y los aspectos clínicos asociados con ellas, en niños de San Juan y Martinez (SJM), Cuba. Tres muestras fecales frescas de cada niño fueron recogidas y examinadas mediante preparación fresca directa, flotación en salmuera, éter-formalina y técnicas de Kato-Katz. También se recogieron datos en relación con la demografía, fuentes de abastecimiento de agua potable, hábitos de higiene personal y características clínicas. El vivir en el área rural estaba significativamente asociado con las más altas tasas de infección (p < 0.01). De acuerdo con las características clínicas y los exámenes de laboratorio, los niños con dolor abdominal tenían una probabilidad cuatro veces mayor de tener IPI (OR 4.05, CI, 1.11, 13.18) especialmente helmintos transmitidos por el suelo (HTS). Sugerimos sospechar fuertemente la presencia de IPIs, especialmente de HTS en SJM, en niños con dolor abdominal, provenientes de las áreas rurales. Se necesitan intervenciones frecuentes, dirigidas a controlar estas infecciones en esta municipalidad(AU)
A cross-sectional study was carried out in 200 children aged 515 years, to examine the presence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and to assess the risk factors and clinical features associated with them in children in San Juan y Martinez (SJM), Cuba. Three fresh faecal samples were collected from each child and were examined by direct wet mount, brine flotation, formalin-ether and Kato-Katz techniques. Data relating to demography, source of drinking water, personal hygiene habits and clinical features were also collected. Living in the rural area was significantly associated with the highest infection rates (p < 0.01). According to clinical features and laboratory examinations, children with abdominal pain were about four times more likely to have IPIs (OR 4.05, CI, 1.11, 13.18) especially soil-transmitted helminths (STH). We suggest that IPIs, especially STH, in SJM should be strongly suspected in children with abdominal pain from rural areas. Targeted and frequent interventions to control these infections are needed in this municipality(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child, Preschool , Child , Adolescent , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/diagnosis , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Rural Population , Soil/parasitology , Water/parasitology , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
A cross-sectional study was carried out in 200 children aged 515 years, to examine the presence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and to assess the risk factors and clinical features associated with them in children in San Juan y Martinez (SJM), Cuba. Three fresh faecal samples were collected from each child and were examined by direct wet mount, brine flotation, formalin-ether and Kato-Katz techniques. Data relating to demography, source of drinking water, personal hygiene habits and clinical features were also collected. Living in the rural area was significantly associated with the highest infection rates (p < 0.01). According to clinical features and laboratory examinations, children with abdominal pain were about four times more likely to have IPIs (OR 4.05, CI, 1.11, 13.18) especially soil-transmitted helminths (STH). We suggest that IPIs, especially STH, in SJM should be strongly suspected in children with abdominal pain from rural areas. Targeted and frequent interventions to control these infections are needed in this municipality(AU)
Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal en 200 niños de 515 años para examinar la presencia de infecciones parasitarias intestinales (IPI) y evaluar los factores de riesgo y los aspectos clínicos asociados con ellas, en niños de San Juan y Martinez (SJM), Cuba. Tres muestras fecales frescas de cada niño fueron recogidas y examinadas mediante preparación fresca directa, flotación en salmuera, éter-formalina y técnicas de Kato-Katz. También se recogieron datos en relación con la demografía, fuentes de abastecimiento de agua potable, hábitos de higiene personal y características clínicas. El vivir en el área rural estaba significativamente asociado con las más altas tasas de infección (p < 0.01). De acuerdo con las características clínicas y los exámenes de laboratorio, los niños con dolor abdominal tenían una probabilidad cuatro veces mayor de tener IPI (OR 4.05, CI, 1.11, 13.18) especialmente helmintos transmitidos por el suelo (HTS). Sugerimos sospechar fuertemente la presencia de IPIs, especialmente de HTS en SJM, en niños con dolor abdominal, provenientes de las áreas rurales. Se necesitan intervenciones frecuentes, dirigidas a controlar estas infecciones en esta municipalidad(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Child, Preschool , Child , Adolescent , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Feces/microbiology , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program carried out in 1993. The intervention took place after the first external quality assessment in coproparasitology, conducted in 77 laboratories of Havana City. Centers receiving training were compared with those that did not, and better results were obtained in the municipalities of 10 de Octubre, Plaza, and Cerro, as well as in all laboratories that sent people to training. Better diagnosis was found for the helminths Trichuris trichiura, Taenia sp., and Fasciola hepatica as well for the protozoans Blastocystis hominis and Endolimax nana in the laboratories that received training. The laboratories that received training had significantly higher scores than those which did not. The results point to the effectiveness of the educational intervention. We recommend external quality assessment in coproparasitology as well as ongoing, mandatory technical education, held at regular intervals. Such measures should assure steady improvement in diagnosis of intestinal parasites by the health services network.
