Objective:

To measure the prevalence of intestinal parasites, and to establish possible associations with the nutritional status and sanitary conditions of the infants of the Remanso de Amor foundation.

Materials and methods:

34 infants, 2 to 6 years of age, underwent stool examination by concentration and modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. Nutritional status was determined from indicators of body dimension: Weight / Age, Weight / Height, Height / Age. The groups were compared using the chi-square test of hypothesis of independence, and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals.

Results:

The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 38,2% (95% CI = 21,0 - 55,4), with Giardia lamblia being the most prevalent parasite. The nutritional status and housing conditions were not associated with parasitosis (p > 0,05). That the caregiver does not wash their hands before cooking (OR = 1,650) or after going to the bathroom (OR = 2,750), that the infant does not wash their hands after defecating (OR = 2,750) or before consuming any food (OR = 1,650), the infant's consumption of raw or half-cooked meat (OR = 3,333) and playing on the ground (OR = 1,764), were found to be significant risk factors for parasitosis.

Conclusions:

Nutritional status and housing conditions were not associated with parasitosis, although some daily practices of the caregiver and infant were shown to be a significant risk factor for parasitosis.

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