Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (Feb 2016)

Prevalence of intestinal parasites and risk factors forspecific and multiple helminth infections in a remote city of the Brazilian Amazon

  • Alessandra Queiroga Gonçalves,
  • Angela Cristina Verissimo Junqueira,
  • Rosa Abellana,
  • Patricia Comella del Barrio,
  • Wagner Cosme Morhy Terrazas,
  • Fernando Campos Sodré,
  • Márcio Neves Bóia,
  • Carlos Ascaso

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0128-2015
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 49, no. 1
pp. 119 – 124

Abstract

Read online

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Few studies have described the risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections in the Amazon. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed in a City of the State of Amazonas (Brazil) to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasites and determine the risk factors for helminth infections. RESULTS: Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent parasite. The main risk factors determined were: not having a latrine for A. lumbricoides infection; being male and having earth or wood floors for hookworm infection; and being male for multiple helminth infections. CONCLUSIONS: We reported a high prevalence of intestinal parasites and determined some poverty-related risk factors.

Keywords