Control of intestinal parasitoses in the community of Núcleo Habitacional Santa Felicidade/ of Maringá, state of Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

A project of diagnosis and control of intestinal parasitoses carried out in the community of Núcleo Habitacional Santa Felicidade in Maringá, is here described. The project comprised an evaluation of the families´ socioeconomic profile, investigation of prevalence of intestinal parasites, activities of health education and treatments of the infected individuals. Protozoan and/or helminthic infections were found, respectively, in 47.0% and in 49.4% of the population investigated. Post-treatment parasitological analysis showed low cure rate. Although the project had allowed a survey of the real situation of intestinal parasitoses, the treatment of part of the infected individuals and the exchange of academic and popular knowledge, the results of the proposed intervention were not satisfactory. The difficulties met and the low impact of the proposed measures on the control of intestinal parasitoses may be associated with the low social and economic level of the community. Further actions, which may result in improvement of the educational level of the individuals and consequently in the improvement of the families´ economic level should be carried out in that community