Prevalence of intestinal parasites and risk factors forspecific and multiple helminth infections in a remote city of the Brazilian Amazon

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2016 Feb;49(1):119-24. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0128-2015.

Abstract

Introduction: Few studies have described the risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections in the Amazon.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed in a City of the State of Amazonas (Brazil) to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasites and determine the risk factors for helminth infections.

Results: Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent parasite. The main risk factors determined were: not having a latrine for A. lumbricoides infection; being male and having earth or wood floors for hookworm infection; and being male for multiple helminth infections.

Conclusions: We reported a high prevalence of intestinal parasites and determined some poverty-related risk factors.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Helminthiasis / diagnosis
  • Helminthiasis / epidemiology*
  • Helminthiasis / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / diagnosis
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology*
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Prevalence
  • Protozoan Infections / diagnosis
  • Protozoan Infections / epidemiology*
  • Protozoan Infections / parasitology
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult