title: Prevalence and risk factors for intestinal protozoa infection in elderly residents at Long Term Residency Institutions in Southeastern Brazil.
abstract: This study determined the prevalence of intestinal protozoa in Long Term Residency Institutions for the Elderly (ILPI) in elders, nurses and food handlers, identifying the risk factors associated with the infections. Stool samples taken from the elderly (n = 293), nurses (63) and food handlers (19) were studied. Questionnaires were used with questions related to sociodemographic variables, health, behavior and health characteristics. Stool samples were examined using the techniques of Faust and Ziehl Neelsen, and the prevalence of G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., E. histolytica/dispar in the elderly was 4.0%, 1.0% and 0.3% respectively. Nurses and food handlers showed 4.8% and 5.2% positivity only for G. duodenalis, respectively. The origin of the individuals and contact with domestic animals has been associated with infection by G. duodenalis in the elderly, and contact with domestic animals was considered a risk factor for infection. The last stool examinations were related to Cryptosporidium spp.. None of the variables were associated with E. histolytica/dispar. The frequency of hand washing was significantly associated with G. duodenalis among nurses. The frequency of positive samples of G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., E. histolytica/dispar showed that ILPIs environments are conducive to this occurring due to contact between the elderly, nurses and food handlers, which are often poorly trained in hygiene procedures and food handling.
authors: Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Katymilla Guimarães
authors: KG
authors: Girotto
authors: Daliane Faria
authors: DF
authors: Grama
authors: Maria Júlia Rodrigues
authors: MJ
authors: da Cunha
authors: Elaine Silva Marques
authors: ES
authors: Faria
authors: Jean Ezequiel
authors: JE
authors: Limongi
authors: Rogério de Melo Costa
authors: Rde M
authors: Pinto
authors: Márcia Cristina
authors: MC
authors: Cury
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors