<b>Schistosomiasis in a rural-urban transistion area: epidemiological reflections</b> - doi: 10.4025/cienccuidsaude.v10i3.12479

Abstract

The Schistosomiasis is an endemic parasitic disease of tropical areas found in 76 countries. It is also estimated that 779 million people are at risk of infection and 207 million are infected worldwide. In northeastern Brazil, this parasitosis reaches hyperendemic rates, particularly in the states of Pernambuco, Bahia, Alagoas and Sergipe. This study proposes to reflect about the epidemiology of schistosomiasis in a Housing Complex located in Sergipe. This study is characterized as descriptive; cross-sectional qualitative and quantitative with a convenience sample comprising 200 individuals, members of a population of 142 families. Secondary data analysis from 2003 to 2008 and primary data collected in 2009/2010, obtained through interviews were used. For data analysis it was used the chi-square test, assuming a significance level of 0.05%, from the SPSS 16.0 software. The studied area presents medium endemicity for schistosomiasis with an average prevalence of 13.98%, occurring more frequently among males of all age ranges, with a greater tendency among adolescent and adults and individuals of black and mulatto ethnicity with low level of education and low income.