Prevalencia de parasitosis intestinales y factores asociados en un corregimiento de la Costa Atlántica Colombiana / Prevalence of intestinal parasitism and associated factors in a village on the Colombian Atlantic Coast

Objetivos Determinar la prevalencia del parasitismo intestinal e identificar los factores de riesgo asociados a estos, en el corregimiento de Loma Arena, Departamento de Bolívar, Colombia Metodología Mediante encuesta aplicada a cada grupo familiar, fueron evaluadas las condiciones socio-sanitarias y educativas de la población. Para el estudio coproparasitológico se recolectó por cada persona, dos muestras de heces obtenidas por evacuación espontánea y en dos días diferentes. El análisis de las heces se realizó mediante un examen directo en solución salina fisiológica y coloración temporal con lugol y por el método de concentración formol-éter Resultados Se encontró que el 92 por ciento de las personas estaban parasitadas, 92 por ciento de ellas con al menos un patógeno. El poliparasitismo fue muy importante (89,2 por ciento) encontrándose hasta un máximo de 7 especies por hospedador. La coinfección de protozoarios y helmintos fue frecuente (64 por ciento). Solo se encontró una frecuencia de teniosis de 0,9 por ciento. Se observó una asociación significativa entre sintomatología y presencia de parásitos (p<0,05) no así, entre síntomas y parásitos potencialmente patógenos a excepción de Trichuris trichura y dolor abdominal. El análisis estadístico no mostró asociación entre las parasitosis y los niveles educativos o hábitos higiénicos sanitarios. Conclusión La distribución uniforme de la mayoría de las parasitosis intestinales en los cinco grupos de edad evaluados, da cuenta de la exposición a las fuentes de infección en todas las etapas de la vida de los pobladores de Loma Arena.

Objectives Determining the prevalence of intestinal parasitism and identifying the associated risk factors in the village of Loma Arena, Bolivar department, Colombia. Methodology The community's sanitary and educational conditions were evaluated by using a questionnaire which was applied to each family group. Two stool samples obtained by spontaneous evacuation, on two different days, were gathered from each participating person for the coproparasitological study. The coprological test involved direct examination in saline physiological solution and temporary staining with Lugol's solution and the formol-ether concentration method. Results It was found that 92 percent of the population was parasitised, 92 percent of them with at least one pathogenic parasite. Polyparasitism was very important (89,2 percent); a maximum of 7 species per host was found. Helminth and protozoa coinfection was frequent (64 percent). There was only 0,9 percent teniosis prevalence. There was a significant association between symptomatology and parasite presence (p< 0.05), though such relationship was not seen with potentially pathogenic parasites (with the exception of Trichuris trichura and abdominal pain). The statistical analysis did not reveal any relationship between parasitism and educational level or sanitary habits. Conclusion The uniform distribution of most intestinal parasites amongst the five age-groups evaluated showed that people in Loma Arena were evenly exposed to sources of infection in all age-groups.

[Prevalence of intestinal parasitism and associated factors in a village on the Colombian Atlantic Coast]. / Prevalencia de parasitosis intestinales y factores asociados en un corregimiento de la Costa Atlántica Colombiana.

OBJECTIVES: Determining the prevalence of intestinal parasitism and identifying the associated risk factors in the village of Loma Arena, Bolivar department, Colombia. METHODOLOGY: The community's sanitary and educational conditions were evaluated by using a questionnaire which was applied to each family group. Two stool samples obtained by spontaneous evacuation, on two different days, were gathered from each participating person for the coproparasitological study. The coprological test involved direct examination in saline physiological solution and temporary staining with Lugol's solution and the formol-ether concentration method. RESULTS: It was found that 92 % of the population was parasitised, 92 % of them with at least one pathogenic parasite. Polyparasitism was very important (89,2 %); a maximum of 7 species per host was found. Helminth and protozoa coinfection was frequent (64 %). There was only 0,9 % teniosis prevalence. There was a significant association between symptomatology and parasite presence (p< 0.05), though such relationship was not seen with potentially pathogenic parasites (with the exception of Trichuris trichura and abdominal pain). The statistical analysis did not reveal any relationship between parasitism and educational level or sanitary habits. CONCLUSION: The uniform distribution of most intestinal parasites amongst the five age-groups evaluated showed that people in Loma Arena were evenly exposed to sources of infection in all age-groups.