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Intestinal parasites in children from a day care centre in Matanzas City, Cuba
Roberto Cañete1, Mariuska Morales Díaz, Roxana Avalos García
1Centre for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology, Matanzas City, Cuba. parasitologı´a.mtz@infomed.sld.cu
Insights
High rates of intestinal parasitic infections were found in Cuban children attending day care centers. Giardia duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. were the most common parasites, indicating a need for further research in the region.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Intestinal parasitic infections (IP) are a global health concern, disproportionately affecting children.
- Day care centers are high-risk environments for the transmission of IP among young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in children under five years old attending a day care center in Matanzas, Cuba.
- To identify the most common intestinal parasites and co-infections in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2012.
- Stool samples from 104 children were analyzed using direct wet mount, formalin-ether, and Kato-Katz techniques.
- Demographic, socioeconomic, water source, and hygiene data were collected via questionnaire.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of intestinal parasites was observed, with 71.1% of children infected with at least one parasite.
- Nearly half (45.2%) of the children had multiple parasitic infections.
- Giardia duodenalis (54.8%) and Blastocystis sp. (38.5%) were the most prevalent protozoa.
Conclusions:
- Despite public health efforts in Cuba, intestinal protozoan infections remain prevalent in this day care setting.
- This study highlights a critical data gap regarding intestinal parasites in Matanzas province over the past 40 years.
- Further research is recommended to understand the IP status in the region and inform targeted interventions.
Background:
Intestinal parasitic infections are widely distributed throughout the world and children are the most affected population. Day care centres are environments where children have proven to be more susceptible to acquiring IP.
Methods And Principal Findings:
A cross-sectional study was carried to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in stool samples among children who attend to a day care centre in an urban area of Matanzas city, Cuba, from March to June 2012. 104 children under five years old were included on the study after informed consent form was signed by parents or legal guardians. Three fresh faecal samples were collected from each child in different days and were examined by direct wet mount, formalin-ether, and Kato- Katz techniques. Data relating to demography, socioeconomic status, source of drinking water, and personal hygiene habits were also collected using a standardized questionnaire. In total, 71.1% of children harbored at least one type of intestinal parasite and 47 (45.2%) were infected by more than one species. Giardia duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. were the most common parasites found, with prevalence rates of 54.8% and 38.5% respectively.
Conclusions:
Despite public health campaigns, improvement in the level of education, and the availability of and access to medical services in Cuba infections by intestinal protozoan is high in this centre. Almost nothing is published regarding intestinal parasites in Matanzas province during the last 40 years so this work could also be the initial point to carry out other studies to clarify the IP status in this region.
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