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Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
10:57

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

[Intestinal parasites in nursery schools of Lages, southern Brazil]

Rosiléia Marinho de Quadros1, Sandra Marques, Andréia Aparecida Ribeiro Arruda

  • 1Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade do Planalto Catarinense. rosileia@uniplac.net

Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical
|September 14, 2004
PubMed

Insights

A high prevalence of parasitic infections, including helminths and protozoa, was found in children in Lages, Brazil. Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia lamblia, and Trichuris trichiura were the most common infections identified.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Public health epidemiology

Context:

  • Nursery school children in Lages, southern Brazil, were surveyed.
  • Parasitic infections pose a significant health burden in pediatric populations.
  • Understanding local prevalence is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose:

  • To determine the prevalence of helminth and protozoan infections in preschool-aged children.
  • To identify the most common etiological agents of parasitic infections in the study group.
  • To analyze potential differences in infection rates between genders.

Summary:

  • Overall prevalence of helminths and protozoa was 70.5% in 200 children.
  • Infection rates were higher in females (74.5%) than males (61.4%).
  • Key parasites identified were Ascaris lumbricoides (35%), Giardia lamblia (14%), and Trichuris trichiura (13%).

Impact:

  • Highlights the significant burden of parasitic infections in young children in this region.
  • Provides baseline data for public health initiatives and deworming programs.
  • Informs healthcare providers about common pathogens requiring diagnostic and treatment focus.

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