Prevalence of intestinal parasites versus knowledge, attitudes, and practices of inhabitants of low-income communities of Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Abstract

Intestinal parasites are the causative agents of common infections responsible for significant public health problems in developing countries and generally linked to lack of sanitation, safe water, and improper hygiene. More than two billion people throughout the world live with unrelenting illness due to intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs). The purposes of this study are to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices on IPIs and investigate the relationship with prevalence of intestinal parasites among a low-income group of inhabitants from two communities of the Travessão District area, Campos dos Goytacazes, north of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The two communities are known as "Parque Santuário," which is an urban slum with miserable living conditions, and "Arraial," where the socioeconomic and educational levels are better, neither having a sanitary infrastructure with an excreta collection system. Questionnaires revealed that both communities had local and specific codification to denominate the intestinal parasites and present correct knowledge on the theme but ignored some aspects of IPI transmission, with the Arraial population being better informed (p < 0.05). The overall prevalence of IPIs in Parque Santuário (49.7%) was greater than in Arraial (27.2%) (p < 0.001; prevalence ratio/95% confidence interval 1.83/1.50-2.23). This study reports the real IPI situation in the Travessão District and also reinforces the need to continue the investigation on the impact of combined prophylactic methods, educational measures, and socioeconomic and sanitary improvements by governmental authorities and the local popular organization.

Geospatial distribution of intestinal parasitic infections in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and its association with social determinants

“…Research conducted in two low-income communities of Campos dos Goytacazes (north of Rio de Janeiro State/Brazil) confirmed by water analysis that the entire underground water of the study area was contaminated and a high faecal contamination was detected in well water. The authors concluded that possibly inadequate sanitation, with sewage discharged directly into the soil in some points, visible leakage, along with inadequate, and negligent routine maintenance in some septic tank systems could certainly have contributed to the dissemination of diseases caused by parasites [57]. …”

Anthelmintic effect of a methanol extract of leaves of Dregea volubilis on Paramphistomum explanatum

“…Helminthic infections may also subvert immune responses to pathogens of other diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria (Brown 2005). Approximately 300 million people suffer severe morbidity associated with these parasites and half of which are school-going children affected by massive infections (Neto et al 2010). Paramphistomes (superfamily Paramphistomoidea) are responsible for paramphistomosis which is characterized by acute parasitic gastroenteritis with high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in young stock.…”

Social and environmental health determinants and their relationship with parasitic diseases in asymptomatic children from a shantytown in Buenos Aires, Argentina

“…The low enterobiosis prevalence reported in most studies, even considering heavily feco-oral-infected populations, could be attributed to the use of unsuitable diagnostic methodology. [16][17][18][19] In our hands, the Graham's test proved to be highly sensitive compared to stool examination. Prevalence of disease in exposed and unexposed children measures the number of infected children in each group (exposed and unexposed to the corresponding risk factor) compared to the total population in both groups.…”

“…It is noteworthy that, even when analyzing asymptomatic children, the prevalence of the disease is up to three times higher than those reported by others in children with symptoms. [16][17][18] Polyparasitism was a remarkable finding and the predominant pathogen species were E. vermicularis, B. hominis, G. lamblia, and, E. histolytica/dispar. The low prevalence of soiltransmitted helminthiases could be ascribed to morbidity control, based on the periodical administration of anthelminthic treatments 9 because many pediatricians implement deworming strategies without previous diagnosis.…”

“…5,16,17 These reports generally involve people with diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. [16][17][18] The present study provides one of the first quantitative estimations of this health problem in asymptomatic children in shantytowns of Argentina and constitutes a preliminary approach to the determinants of health having an effect on asymptomatic intestinal parasitoses. The Villa 21-24 child population has a high prevalence rate of water-and excreta-related intestinal parasitoses, mainly those that are feco-orally-transmitted.…”