RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological and clinical profile of intestinal parasites in children in rural Central African Republic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study in Central African Republic rural areas. Children seen as outpatients regardless of the reason for consultation were included in the study after parental consent. Each stool sample sent to the laboratory in a plastic pot was subjected to a direct co-examination with physiological water. RESULTS: A total of 102 children were included in the study, of whom 53 were boys (51.96%), the median age was 4 years (3 months; 15 years old). They had a primary level of education in 31.37% of cases, 76.47% came from Health Region 1. Drilling was the source of drinking water in 61.76% of cases and the backwater was used for bathing by 26.47% of children. Abdominal pain was observed in 55 children (53.92%). The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 88.23%. Of 122 identified parasites, 96 were helminths (78.69%) and 26 were protozoa (21.31%). Of the three protozoan species isolated, Entamoeba histolytica was found in 15 cases (14.70%). The most common helminthiasis was Ascaris lumbricoides (40.19%). The frequency of parasitic infection was 92% in children aged from 5 to 9 years. Mono-parasitism was observed in 52.94% versus 33.33% for poly-parasitism. CONCLUSION: Intestinal parasitosis is a public health problem in Central African Republic rural areas. Improving access to drinking water for populations could reduce the magnitude of these diseases.