Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections versus knowledge, attitudes and practices of male residents in Brazilian urban slums: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are neglected diseases caused by helminths and protozoa, with the relationships between parasite, host and environment having the potential to produce high morbidity and incapacity to work and mortality in vulnerable areas. This study assessed the prevalence of IPIs concerning socio-environmental conditions and analyzed the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to these diseases among men living in the slums of Rio de Janeiro city, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted in an agglomeration of urban slums between 2018 and 2019, with men aged between 20 and 59 years. A socioeconomic status questionnaire and an IPIs knowledge, attitudes and practices questionnaire (KAPQ) were applied. Coproparasitological diagnoses (n=454) were performed using four methods and samples of water for household consumption (n=392) were subjected to microbiological and physicochemical analysis. A total of 624 participants were enrolled. About 40% of the households had "water unsuitable for consumption". Only one Major Area, MA 3 was not statistically significant for IPIs (AOR=0.75; 95% CI: 0.30-1.88; p=0.55). The overall prevalence of IPIs was 23.8%. Endolimax nana (n=65, 14.3%) and hookworm (n=8, 1.7%) were the most frequently identified parasites. The analysis of the frequency of responses to the KAPQ has shown that men reported to seeking medical care if they were suspicious of IPIs, and around 35% would self-medicate. The results have shown the need to adopt integrated health education practices targeting male residents in urban slums to qualify the care with water for human consumption and promote self-care about IPIs. The household can be considered strategic for Primary Health Care activities for men.

Intestinal parasitic infections: telephone health literacy with men in areas of poverty in the syndemic

“…The first phase of the study, which took place from February 2018 to December 2019, focused on patient registration; in the application of pre-test questionnaires; in the analysis of the socioeconomic characteristics of those registered; in CFM’s environmental characteristics; in the coproparasitological inquiry to elaborate Popular Education in Health practices based on the reality experienced by participants; in the frequency of intestinal parasites present among those registered; and risk factors for intestinal parasite transmission in this territory ( 21 ) . The last phase took place from March 2020 to April 2021, when individual Popular Education in Health practices were carried out by telephone contact for subsequent application of post-test questionnaire and data analysis.…”

“…In a recently published article ( 21 ) , in the sample of 624 men living in CFM, most participants reported having their own home (66.9%), with ceramic floors (92.5%), toilets with a reservoir (98.2%), supply of water by the public system (96.5%), water storage in a water tank (60.7%) and a filter for human consumption water (66.2%). However, the prevalence of intestinal parasites was 23.8% and about 40% of households had water unfit for human consumption.…”

“…After the questionnaires were applied, participant coproparasitological survey was carried out to identify the intestinal parasites circulating in CFM and treat these parasites. To elaborate Popular Education in Health practices, the situational diagnosis carried out in the first phase of the study was considered ( 21 ) .…”