[Enteroparasitosis in a child population of the Hurlingham District, Buenos Aires]

Intestinal parasites have the greatest impact on child populations as they can, in the long term, lead to stunted growth with advances in cognitive development. The transmission of these parasites is favored by environments of social vulnerability.

In a cross-sectional study carried out in the District of Hurlingham, in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, the prevalence of intestinal parasitoses and its associated risk factors in a child population attending Primary Health Care Centers was estimated. Coproparasitological survey, Graham test and a socio-environmental and labor survey were performed.

A total of 130 children, 50.8% women and 49.2% men (0-12 years) were analyzed; 89.1% of those over 4 years of age were in school. In 28.5% of households, the mother or father had a formal job and 63.8% received the Universal Child Allowance. Conditions of social vulnerability were observed in the analyzed population: poor access to network water and sewage and environmental sanitation. The parasitological diagnosis revealed that 75 children [57.7% (95% CI: 48.7-66.3)] were parasitized. Protists were more frequent than helminths and the most prevalent species were Blastocystis spp, Enterobius vermicularis, Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium sp. The parasites in children were associated with schooling (p <0.01) and age (p <0.05).

This work constitutes the first survey on intestinal parasitoses in the District of Hurlingham and the socioeconomic and environmental context where it is developed.