Parasitoses intestinais

Abstract

Background: To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and the habits of prophylactic treatments in pre-schoolers living in an urban population. Methods: children born in 1994, were observed during a routine exam before entering school. Parasitological diagnosis of soil-transmited helminthiasis and giardiasis was made by analyzing stool samples. A questionnaire was asked to the parents in order to ascertain the habits of prophylactic treatment and the scale of Graffar was applied. For statistical analysis we used the chi-square test. Results: 81 children entered the study. 64% had been given prophylactic treatment less than one year before and in 68% the whole family was treated. No cases of helminthiasis were found and 7 children presented giardiasis. There were no statistical significance (p>0.05) in Graffar class and number of siblings between the two groups (infected and noninfected), but this was suggested with the level of hygiene (p=0.05). Conclusions: based on these results we think that is highly questionable to perform prophylactic treatment in this kind of population (urban). Stool samples analysis in symptomatic children seems to be the most correct option.