Avaliação epidemiológica de parasitoses intestinais entre escolares assistidos por microáreas de unidades de saúde do município de Poços de Caldas-MG

Abstract

Intestinal parasitoses are diseases closely related to sanitary conditions and a serious problem of public health in underdeveloped countries Many studies have shown that children are more susceptible to parasitic infections due to poor hygienic habits and therefore the effects of parasitism are more significant in them In face of the growth of cities and a higher participation of women in the work market mothers have to take their small children to day-care centers where they are exposed to a potentially contaminated environment In Brazil more than half the population of pre-school and school children have parasitoses In the present study epidemiological variables were surveyed by means of a questionnaire applied to 200 children at their homes who were cared for in microareas of Basic Heathcare Units (Unidades Basics de Saudi) and Family Health Program (Programa de Saúde da Família) of the city of Poços de Caldas State of Minas Gerais Brazil Parasitologic examinations were conducted by the spontaneous sedimentation Technique Results showed that Entamoeba coli and E hystolitica were the most prevalent Parasites The socieconomical conditions of the city are indicative of the population s Good quality of life The most marked risk factors for parasitic infection were the permanent presence of vectors such pets flies mosquitoes cockroaches and/or rats in the house The preventive measures proposed to the Vigilância Sanitária e Epidemiológica (Service of Sanitary and Epidemiological Vigilance) are the implementation of basic sanitation and continuous programs of sanitary education routine follow-up of parasitic infections and checking the effectiveness of the treatment prescribed