Enteroparasites in Preschool Children on the Pacific Region of Nicaragua

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine for the first time the prevalence of enteroparasites in preschool children originating from the seven departments of the Pacific region in Nicaragua. One stool sample of each of 1,217 children, from 6 months to 5 years of age, was collected and personal data were recorded on delivery of the container. Samples fixed in 10% formalin were processed by a formol-acetate concentration and a modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. The overall prevalence of enteroparasite infections was 68.2% with a total of at least 20 species. (45.5%), (31.7%), (8.2%), and (5.2%) were the most prevalent protozoa and helminth species in the total study as well as in all departments. Protozoan prevalence presented a statistically significant difference by gender (male: 69.6%; female: 46.7%; < 0.001), and males presented a higher infection rate than females (male: 9.9%; female 6.4%; < 0.035). Protozoan prevalence increased with age with a statistically significant difference ( < 0.001). Helminths were always more prevalent in urban areas ( < 0.0002). Protozoan infections result statistically higher than helminth infections so that water-based transmission could be suspected. Based on the differences with respect to species and parasite prevalence between the seven departments in the Pacific region of Nicaragua, the exploration of local factors associated with the transmission of enteroparasites should also be considered to reduce infection.

Stunting, Beyond Acute Diarrhoea: Giardia Duodenalis, in Cambodia

“…The increase in G. duodenalis infection prevalence with increasing age is consistent with findings of studies carried out in preschool children in various countries [ 27 ]. The increased prevalence with age was reported to be potentially related to a child’s personal autonomy.…”

“…Whereas children from 1 to 2 years of age are under surveillance most of time, those from 3 to 5 years old start to have more autonomy and are subject to less surveillance which may imply a decrease in the adoption of good hygienic practices. Consequently, older children are likely to be more exposed to risk factors and more often infected than their younger peers [ 27 ].…”

Helminth Infection among Children Living in an Urban Area in Tropical Countries: A Systematic Review

“…The score was given as 20% for Yes, 10% for can't tell, and 0% for No. Eight studies were given the highest score of 100% [6], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], four studies were given 80% score [21], [22], [23], [24], and one study was given a score of 70% [7]. One author in the team cross-checked the findings of the evaluation.…”

“…A total of eight studies reported on a social background as risk factors for helminth infection among urban children. Four studies identified age as a risk factor related to intestinal helminth infection [15], [17], [23], [24]. Three studies reported males to represent a higher infection rate than females [6], [15], [23], while two studies reported the higher infection were among females [17], [24].…”

Prevalência de enteroparasitas em crianças provenientes da área rural de Cáceres-MT

“…Estima-se que 200 milhões de crianças na idade pré-escolar de todo o mundo sejam afetadas por enteroparasitas, devido à falta principalmente de estratégias de melhoramento do nível socioeconômico da população. (Muñoz-Antoli et al, 2018). No Brasil é alta a prevalência em crianças em idade escolar, a infecção por essas enteroparasitoses prejudica seu desenvolvimento físico, afetando o estado nutricional e consequentemente o rendimento escolar.…”