Prevalence of intestinal parasites in children from public preschool in the Triple Border Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of parasitosis in children from Brazilian border cities is unknown. Objective: To identify the prevalence of intestinal parasites in children from public pre-school on the Brazilian border and their socioeconomic and health profile. Methods: Fecal samples were obtained from 178 children from public early childhood educational center (CMEI) in Brazilian border municipalities in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. Samples were processed by Hoffman sedimentation and zinc sulfate centrifugation and flotation methods. A questionnaire was administered to children´s parents or guardians regarding parasitic diseases, socioeconomic status, and sanitary habits. Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 26.9% (n=48). A high prevalence of Giardia duodenalis was found (16.3%), followed by Endolimax nana (8.4%), Enterobius vermiculares (1.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides, and Entamoeba coli (0.5%). Forty-seven children (26.4%) presented monoparasitism. The percentage of parasitosis was significantly higher among male children (33.7% - p<0.036) who exhibited weight loss (50.0%), were from low-income families (35.4%- p=0.05), and had mothers with a low education (54.0%-p=0.0001). The highest percentage of Giardia was in children who exhibited weight loss (42.9% - p<0.05) and had mothers with low education (35.0%- p=0.0001). Multivariate analysis indicated that in the variable gender (male gender), weight loss and low maternal education contributed to the variability of parasitosis in children from the surveyed MCEC. Conclusion: The higher prevalence of Giardia was due to child and family variables. The detection of Enterobius vermiculares and Ascaris lumbricoides, despite the low frequency, indicates the need for better basic sanitation policies.   Keywords: child; parasites; prevalence; border areas; giardiasis.