Resumen

RODRIGUEZ-SAENZ, Ana Yervid. Risk factors for intestinal parasites in children enrolled in a school in the municipality of Soracá - Boyacá. Univ. Salud [online]. 2015, vol.17, n.1, pp.112-120. ISSN 0124-7107.

Introduction: Intestinal parasitism is an infection caused by protozoa or helminthes. These intestinal parasites are at the present time a social health problem, affecting developed and developing countries. Objective: The study aimed to identify risk factors and intestinal parasites in school children in an educational institution in the municipality of Soracá in Boyaca. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted, in which 85 schools agreed to participate with the prior written informed consent from their parents. The risk factors were assessed with the help of a survey which looked at questions such as the origin of drinking water, coexistence with animals and sanitary hygiene habits. A laboratory analysis for microscopic and macroscopic direct examination was made at the 85 stool samples as well as the formalin-ether concentration technique. To establish the nutritional status, an anthropometric evaluation was conducted. Results: The main risk factors found were: the non-use of drinking water for preparing food, walking barefoot, having contact with soil and the coexistence with pets. Parasite prevalence was 78%; pathogens: Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar 28%, Giardia intestinalis 11%, Ascaris lumbricoides 4%, Trichuris trichiura 2% and Himenolepis nana 1%. According to the nutritional status, it was found that 86% of schoolchildren have malnutrition, 8.2% presented stunting, 5.8% presented risk of stunting, 12% presented thinness and 2% presented risk of thinness. Conclusions: Risk factors of importance in the epidemiology of infections caused by intestinal parasites were presented. The rate of intestinal helminth parasites was low, while it was high for protozoal.

Palabras clave : Intestinal parasites; prevalence; risk factors; nutritional status.

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