Prevalence and risk factors for giardiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in three municipalities of Southeastern Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Abstract

Giardiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are parasitic diseases that are among the major health concerns observed in economically disadvantaged populations of developing countries, and have clear social and environmental bases. In Brazil, there is a lack of epidemiologic data concerning these infections in the study area, whose inhabitants have plenty of access to health care services, including good dwelling and adequate sanitary conditions. In this survey we investigated the risk factors for giardiasis and STH in three municipalities with good sanitation, situated in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the municipalities of Piau, Coronel Pacheco and Goianá, in both urban and rural areas. The fieldwork consisted of a questionnaire and the examination of 2,367 stool samples using the Hoffmann, Pons and Janer method. Of all individuals from the population sample, 6.1% were found infected with the parasitic diseases included in this work. Hookworm infection was the most prevalent disease, followed by giardiasis, trichuriasis and ascariasis. Infection was more prevalent in males (8.1%, p < 0.001; odds ratio [OR] = 1.975) and in individuals living in rural areas (8.6%, p = 0.003; OR = 1.693). Multivariate analysis showed that variables such as inadequate sewage discharge (p < 0.001), drinking of unsafe water (p < 0.001), lack of sanitary infrastructure (p = 0.015), and host sex (p < 0.001) were the risk factors more strongly associated with infection status (95% confidence interval [CI]). In this study we demonstrate that giardiasis and STH still persist, infecting people who have good housing conditions and free access to public health care and education.

Bayesian geostatistical modelling of soil-transmitted helminth survey data in the People’s Republic of China

“…Indeed, wealth, inadequate sewage discharge, drinking of unsafe water, lack of sanitary infrastructure, personal hygiene habits, recent travel history, low education and demographic factors are strongly associated with soil-transmitted helminth infections [42-46]. Our results show that GDP per capita has a negative effect on A. lumbricoides infection risk.…”

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors for Giardiasis among Children in District Anantnag of Kashmir Valley, India

“…Chaudhary, et al [23], (from his study in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh) also reported the peak prevalence of Giardia lamblia in the age group of 1-10 years (35.84%), which then declined gradually with successive increase in age reaching a least infectivity rate in the age group of 51-60 years (3.77%). Pinheiro et al [24], (from his study in Minas Gerais, Brazil) found that the children of below six years age are most susceptible to giardia infection, the infection rate then decreased in higher age groups with minimum infection rate in the age group of 15-24 years.…”

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in preschool-children from vulnerable neighborhoods in Bogotá

“…Previous research established a relationship between IPI presence and socioeconomic factors 8 : low maternal education level, low family income, living in a rural area, poor sanitary facilities and sewage systems and limited access to healthcare services were associated with a higher IPI prevalence [8][9][10][11] .…”

“…Approximately 44% of the population from Bogota is considered as being poor (SISBEN strata 1-2) 20 . Generally, the presence of IPIs is associated with living in a rural area because urban populations generally have better access to sanitation, clean water and health care services 11 . However, some researchers found the highest level of IPIs in peri-urban areas.…”