Abstract

BOY, Lidia et al. Intestinal parasites in school - age children of an educational institution in Fernando de la Mora, Paraguay. Rev. cient. cienc. salud [online]. 2020, vol.2, n.1, pp.54-62. ISSN 2664-2891.  https://doi.org/10.53732/rccsalud/02.01.2020.54-62.

Parasitic intestinal infection mainly affects children and is one of the most prevalent diseases in impoverished communities in developing countries. The objective of the work was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in school-age children from an educational institution in the municipality of Fernando de la Mora. An observational, descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out during the period from April to July 2017. Fecal samples from 40 children between 6 and 11 years old, from a public school in Fernando de la Mora, were processed. The obtained samples were fixed in 10% formalin, transported and processed by direct examination and by the Ritchie method in the Microbiology laboratory of the Biology degree program at UNA. Univariate analysis was used to calculate frequencies and bivariate by Chi 2 test to determine associations between variables. The prevalence was 27% and infection was determined by five species of parasites. The high prevalence of parasitic infection was demonstrated for the group of school children who participated in the study. The parasites found were; Blastocystis hominis (18%), Giardia lamblia (10%), Chilomastix mesnili (10%), Balantidium coli (5%) and Ascaris lumbricoides eggs (10%). Multiparasitism predominated (18%) and a significant association was found between grade level and parasitic infection (p = 0.04). The results reaffirm the importance of constant monitoring and control of parasites at the local and national level.

Keywords : intestinal parasitosis; children; parasites.

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