Parasitism in kindergarten children from "Manuel Fajardo Rivero" polyclinic health area

Abstract

Background: parasitosis has high incidence rates in the world child population, conditioned by poor sanitary habits and other associated risk factors, a situation also affecting our country. Objective: to characterize children with parasitism who attend kindergarten from the health area of the "Manuel Fajardo Rivero" University Polyclinic in Las Tunas. Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in children attending four kindergarten of this health area, from 6 September to 5 November 2021. From a universe of 706 infants, a sample of 81, aged between 2 and 6 years, was positive on stool samples. The variables evaluated included: age group, sex, associated risk factors, parasitic species, clinical symptoms and medical treatment. Results: infants of the sixth year of life predominated (29.6 %), with males (64.2 %) being the most affected. Untreated or unboiled water consumption (44.5 %) was the most commonly found associated risk factor. Blastocystis hominis (42.0 %) was identified as the most frequent parasitic species; abdominal cramps (48.1 %) as a clinical symptom and Secnidazole (80.2 %) was the most prescribed drug. Conclusions: children with parasitism were characterized from four kindergarten of the health area of "Manuel Fajardo Rivero" polyclinic.

Keywords

• parasitismo
• enfermedades parasitarias
• parasitosis
• protozoarios
• nematodos