title: Prevalence and predictors associated with intestinal infections by protozoa and helminths in southern Brazil.
abstract: Approximately 2 billion people are infected with soil-transmitted helminths worldwide, mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. This research aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors associated with parasitic infections in primary health care. A cross-sectional study was performed with a large random sample to identify the prevalence and predictors associated with parasitic infections in primary health care in Marialva, southern Brazil, from April 2011 to September 2013. Stool samples from 775 individuals were analyzed for the presence of protozoan cysts, helminth eggs, and larvae. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 13.94 %, and the prevalence of protozoa and helminths was 15.1 and 2.9 %, respectively. The predictor variables that were associated with intestinal parasites were male gender odds ratio (OR) 1.60, 95 % confidence interval (CI 1.10-2.40) and the absence of a kitchen garden (OR 2.28, 95 % CI, 1.08-4.85). Positive associations were found between Giardia duodenalis and individuals aged ≤18 with high risk (OR 19.0, 95 % CI 2.16-167.52), between Endolimax nana and the absence of a kitchen garden (p < 0.01), and between Trichuris trichiura and the presence of a kitchen garden (p = 0.014). Polyparasitism was present in 27.27 % of infected individuals. Our findings confirmed a relatively low prevalence in primary care, compared to international standards, despite the rare publications in the area. As variables, male gender and the absence of a kitchen garden stood out as important predictors. It is highly relevant that the health conditions of the population comply with consistent standards.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Teresinha Gomes
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Casavechia
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Valdrinez Campana
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Lonardoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eneide Aparecida Sabaini
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Venazzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paula Aline Zanetti
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Campanerut-Sá
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hugo Rafael
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: da Costa Benalia
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Matheus Felipe
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Mattiello
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro Victor Lazaretti
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Menechini
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Exact Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Aparecido
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil. jjvteixeira@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jorge Juarez Vieira
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D000072506:Gardens; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D007814:Larva; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D012307:Risk Factors; D012987:Soil / Q000469:parasitology; D014258:Trichuris / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012987:Soil
keywords: Diagnosis; Parasitic intestinal disease; Prevalence; Primary health care; Risk factors