[Inequality in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among schoolchildren from urban and rural schools].
BACKGROUND
Parasitic infections in children reflect social inequalities throughout the world, especially in urban and rural territories.


OBJECTIVE
To assess inequalities in the prevalence of infections by protozoa and intestinal helminths and associated factors in children of different geographical areas from the commune of Puerto Montt.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study carried out in 103 students from one urban and two rural schools in the commune of Puerto Montt. A socio-demographic survey was applied and the presence parasitic infections was evaluated in serial stool samples.


RESULTS
The prevalence of Protozoan and intestinal helminthic infections were 37.5 and 68.1% in urban and rural areas respectively. A regression analysis showed that the differences between rural and urban children, disappear when the results are adjusted by family income and the quality of sewage disposal. In urban children, the prevalence of parasitic infections increases along with the decrease in family income.


CONCLUSIONS
Income and sanitary conditions rather than being or urban or rural origin explain the variations in rates of childhood parasitic infections. Infections with protozoa and intestinal helminths are an indicator of social inequality in health.
Escuela de Tecnología Médica, Universidad Austral de Chile, Puerto Montt, Chile.
Marco
M
Barra
Departamento de Salud Pública y Centro de Excelencia CIGES, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Luis
L
Bustos
Departamento de Salud Pública y Centro de Excelencia CIGES, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Ximena
X
Ossa
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*