Identification of the main parasites in school-age children: A cross sectional study

Parasitic infestations are the most common causes of diseases that affect humans, especially children, because at this stage of life the immune system is still developing and is not competent to prevent infection. The clinical manifestations generated by enteral parasitosis vary from simple to severe signs and symptoms and may even lead to death of the host. The objective of this study was to identify the main parasites affecting children and adolescents of school age and design intervention measures to avoid new parasitic infestations. A cross-sectional study carried out during the period from March to December 2017collected fecal samples from 39 students and submitted to a diagnostic technique for spontaneous sedimentation. After the analyzed samples, in 57%, parasites were identified, and in 32% of them, more than one parasite were identified. The parasites were: Ascaris lumbricoides (64%), Giardia lamblia and Schistosoma mansoni (4.55%) each, Endolimax nana (41%) and Entamoeba coli (31,82%). The high occurrence of enteral parasitosis shows the need for basic sanitation and adequate treatment of water used by the community. It was understood the need to articulate health and education policies in order to contemplate the real needs of individuals in this age group of peculiar development.