UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP IN THE INTESTINAL PARASITOSES DIAGNOSIS AND CONTROL

Abstract

In order to diagnose and control enteroparasitosis, a program involving university students and the municipality of Juranda, in the State of Paraná was established. Stool samples from 1,025 schoolchildren were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Helminth eggs and protozoan cysts were detected in 49,7% of the samples. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent species in the urban area, while hookworms were the most prevalent in rural area. The quantitative analysis of A. lumbricoides and hookworms positive samples displayed an overdispersed distribution of worm burdens in the host population. To promote the intestinal parasitosis prevention and control, the following proceedings were carried on: periodic meetings with the municipal leaders, courses about enteroparasitosis, sanitary educational activities and treatment of parasitic individuals. The partnership was beneficial to both parts: it allowed university students a better contact with unassisted populations; it led to the establishment of a clinical analysis laboratory, the construction of 100 sanitary modules and, most important of all, it developed the consciousness in the community of its role in the control of intestinal parasitosis.