title: Prevalence and risk factors for protozoan and nematode infections among children in an Ecuadorian highland community.
abstract: In order to create a parasite prevention program for Santa Ana, Ecuador, we worked with local physicians to identify the prevalence and risk factors for intestinal parasitic infection among children. Two hundred households were randomly selected and asked to submit three stool samples from a selected child. Information from direct observation and questionnaires was used to determine environmental and behavioral risk factors for parasitic infection. Prevalence of any parasitic infection was 65.6% of the 189 children who submitted fecal samples. Parasitic infections included Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar (46.6%), Giardia lamblia (18.5%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (20.1%). In a multivariate logistic model, risk factors (P<0.05) for E. histolytica/E. dispar included >1 month since antiparasitic treatment, not adding chlorine to drinking water, children not washing their hands before eating, and having a fewer number of electrical appliances in the home. The risk factor identified for G. lamblia was children not washing their hands before eating. Risk factors for A. lumbricoides included >6 months since antiparasitic treatment and having a fewer number of electrical appliances in the home. This study may have implications for other communities throughout the developing world.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
authors.forename: Seppo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rinne
authors.forename: Edgar J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Rodas
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Galer-Unti
authors.forename: Nita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Glickman
authors.forename: Larry T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Glickman
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004484:Ecuador / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000977:Antiparasitic Agents