Risk factors for the development of intestinal parasitosis in preschool and school children

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine the risk factors for the development of intestinal parasitosis in preschoolers and school children of the Huambaló Centro neighborhood, belonging to the Huambaló parish, Tungurahua province/Ecuador. Methodology, descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional and prospective study, the population were infants aged 2 to 12 years, the sample was of census type, determined by inclusion criteria such as belonging to the age range and the decision to participate, obtaining a sample of 52 children. The information gathering instrument was the "National survey of intestinal parasitism in school population" with validation and reliability, used at national level by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the University of Antioquia, Colombia. The results showed a predominance of schoolchildren with 53.8%, the male sex with 61.53%. The caregivers of the children were mothers in 61.53% with a basic education level in 36.54% of the cases. There are 92.69% of caregivers who wash fruits and vegetables before offering them to the children and 69.23% who also disinfect them. 61.54% of the children also wash their hands before eating. Seventy-five percent of children are asymptomatic and the frequent symptoms are abdominal pain and diarrhea. In conclusion, there was a predominance of male school children, mothers are the main caregivers of children, with a basic level of education, there are adequate hygiene norms on the part of the caregiver, both in washing hands before cooking and after going to the bathroom, as well as washing fruits and vegetables before offering them to the children. Similarly, the children have good hygienic standards in washing their hands before eating and after going to the bathroom, as well as the use of shoes and the infrequency of playing with soil.