Prevalência de enteroparasitoses em usuários de um laboratório de análises clínicas de Bonito de Santa Fé – PB.

Abstract

Enteroparasitoses, one of the biggest public health problems, are mainly caused by helminths and protozoa that inhabit the human intestine, often occurring in places where living conditions and basic sanitation are unsatisfactory, such as those found in many municipalities in northeastern Brazil. The present study aimed to know the prevalence of intestinal parasites in users of a clinical analysis laboratory in the municipality of Bonito de Santa Fé, Paraíba. This is an epidemiological, descriptive and retrospective study, in which the results of the Fecal Parasitological Examinations (EPF) were analyzed, such as: presence or absence of parasites and species(s) found, in addition to the variables of sex, age group, zone and neighborhood of residence, from January to June 2022. The Chi-Square (χ2) or Fisher's Exact test was applied and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of the 50 samples analyzed, 50% were positive for enteroparasites and/or enterocommensals, with the most prevalent species being Giardia lamblia (45.5%) and Entamoeba coli (39.4%). No helminths were found in the analyzed period. Among the 25 positive tests, 76% were monoparasited and 24% bi/polyparasited. The pathogenic species Giardia lamblia was the most prevalent among the monoparasites (52.6%). The prevalent parasitic association was Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba coli, with 100% of all cases being biparasitized. The pathogenic species Giardia lamblia was the most prevalent among the monoparasites (52.6%). The most prevalent parasitic association was Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba coli, with 100% of all cases being biparasitized. There was no statistically significant association between the variables sex, age group and zone with the presence of infection (p>0.05). In view of these results, it must be considered that the municipality needs to reduce prevalence rates through strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of those infected, by offering educational programs on the prevention of parasites and health education, improvements in basic sanitation conditions and public policies for urban and housing planning.