Abstract

LUCERO-GARZON, Tarín A et al. Intestinal Parasitism and Risk Factors among Children from the Illegal Settlements of Florencia-Caquetá, Colombia. Rev. Fac. Nac. Salud Pública [online]. 2015, vol.33, n.2, pp.171-180. ISSN 0120-386X.  https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.rfnsp.v33n2a04.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and risk factors of children aged 0 to 5 living in the illegal settlements of Ciudadela Siglo XXI in Florencia-Caquetá, Colombia. METHODOLOGY: a cross-sectional, descriptive study in which fecal samples were collected from 193 children. The presence of parasites was assessed using direct stool examination and the Ritchie-Frick method after concentration. Coccidia were evaluated using the Kinyoun technique with modifications enabling their identification. In addition, a survey with socio-epidemiological data was used. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and EPIDAT. RESULTS :the prevalence was 90% of infected children. The most frequent parasites were protozoa, i.e. Blastocystis spp: 49%, Giardia duodenalis: 36%, E. histolitica/dispar: 29%, the prevalence of Coccidia was 19%; Cryptosporidium sp: 7% Cystoisospora sp: 8% and Cyclospora sp: 4%; as for helminths, the prevalent organisms were Ascaris lumbricoides: 5%, Trichuris trichura: 1%, Uncinaria spp:1%. In addition, 53% of the samples were cases of multiple parasitism. Finally, 85% of the children did not have proper footwear, 47% of the homes lacked basic sanitation, 41% had greenhouse fabrics in the walls and 74% of the floors were ground and had no tiles. Pets were present in 62% of the homes. CONCLUSIONS:the socio-economic conditions of the studied population make it susceptible to the high amount of intestinal parasites that was estimated in this study; for that reason, it is important to address this issue through medical and governmental intervention to improve the quality of life of these people.

Keywords : Intestinal parasites; risk factors; protozoa; helminths; infection.

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