The incidence of intestinal parasites in two communities in British Honduras

ABSTRACT

During studies on American trypanosomiasis and Chagas' disease, a small scale survey for intestinal parasites was made in two communities in the western part of British Honduras. In one, 7.7 percent of the population were studied, and of these 70.7 percent were positive for intestinal parasites, while in the other community 20.6 percent of the population were investigated and of these 78.6 percent were infected. Multiple infections were common, but ascaris and trichiuris were the most frequent parasites. It is suggested that poor hygiene, ignorance and absence of preventive and curative facilities contribute to this high infection rate (AU)