Neoplastic patients’ knowledge about intestinal parasitoses in southern Brazil

Abstract

<jats:p>Abstract Since oncologic patients have been considered an important risk group for parasitic infections, it is fundamental to find out what they know about intestinal parasites. This study aimed at evaluating knowledge that the adult oncologic patients undergoing chemotherapy in the main centers of treatment for cancer in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, has about intestinal parasites. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for collecting data from two hundred oncologic patients who were undergoing chemotherapy. Results showed that 69.5% know what intestinal parasites are and cited Ascaris lumbricoides and Taenia sp. as being the most known ones. The statistical comparison between the group that knows intestinal parasites and the one that does not know about them – associated with socioeconomic variables –, showed that factors that significantly influenced their knowledge were their place of residence, schooling and household income (p≤0.05). Only 36% stated that they know when they are infected with parasites and misdescribed some signs and symptoms. Regarding prevention, 52% mentioned that they do not know how to avoid parasitism. The population under study showed that there are some gaps in its knowledge of the theme under investigation. Therefore, it is important to implement socioeducational measures in hospitals and clinics that treat cancer patients.</jats:p>

Molecular characterization of Giardia lamblia and risk factors for giardiasis among immunocompromised patients in southern Brazil

“…This disease has been categorized a serious public health issues, most especially among children and immunocompromised adults. The impact of the disease is greater in developing countries, where it is usually associated with precarious socioeconomic conditions which affect mainly children and/or the immunocompromised adults (Jeske et al, 2018;Ryan et al, 2019;Santos et al, 2012;Mmbaga and Houpt, 2017;Jeske et al, 2020), which usually get its most severe form of the disease.…”