Factors of risk for intestinal parasitism in children and employees in a daycare center

Abstract

This work established the occurrence of intestinal parasitism in children and adults at a municipal day-care center in Itambé/PR, as well as related risk factors. One hundred forty-five individuals were investigated (127 children and 18 adults). Parasitological examinations were carried out by the Faust et al. and Lutz methods. A semi-structured questionnaire regarding the epidemiological conditions of the population was applied. Chisquare and Stepwise Logistic Regression tests were applied for analysis of the data. A parasitism rate of 34.5% was verified, with Giardia duodenalis (54.7%) as the predominant species, mainly in children < 2 years (23 - 65.7%). Gender, age and type of consumed water were the variables statistically associated with the occurence of parasitism. Children up to two years of age had 4.8 times greater probabilities of acquiring parasitism. The female gender was considered a protection factor. Children who consumed non-filtered water have 15.9 times greater possibilities to have parasitism. This paper concluded that intestinal parasite infections in children and adults of the day-care center constitute a problem of public health for the city of Itambé/PR, and are indicative of inadequate socio-economic, hygienic and cultural conditions.