Prevalence of intestinal parasitosis within three population groups in La Plata, Argentina

Abstract

The prevalence of intestinal parasites was studied as a function of socioeconomic conditions within La Plata, Argentina. Age, sex, and environmental factors were considered. Thus, from each of three areas within the city - the first a 'marginal' zone, the second a lower-income suburb, the third a middle-income urban district - 100,101, and 91 children up to 14 years old, respectively, were examined for intestinal parasites. Giardia lamblia was the most frequent species found. The respective prevalences of intestinal parasites overall (73, 54.4, and 35.1%), of polyparasitism (61.6, 27.2, and 12.5%), and of helminthic infection (32, 10.9, and 0.0%) were the highest within the population group having significantly inferior sanitary and environmental conditions. A positive statistical association between the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and age was observed in all three of the neighborhoods. We also noted a correspondence between the frequency of such infections and school attendance in the two suburban districts. Management practices in accordance with the specific characteristics of an urban environmental and sociocultural ecosystem are thus important for the control of intestinal-parasite infection within municipal populations.

PIP: The prevalence of intestinal parasites, as a function of socioeconomic conditions, was investigated in 3 urban population groups in La Plata, Argentina. 100 children under 14 years of age from a marginal settlement, 101 children from a lower-income suburb, and 91 children from a middle-income district were enrolled. The overall prevalences of intestinal parasites in these 3 groups were 73%, 54.4%, and 35.1%, respectively. Polyparasitism was present in 61.6%, 27.2%, and 12.5%, respectively, while helminthic infection rates were 32%, 10.9%, and 0.0%. Giardia lamblia was the most frequently identified species. These findings confirmed the hypothesized inverse relationship between intestinal parasitosis and socioeconomic conditions. The marginal zone with the highest rates of parasitic disease was characterized by a lack of running water in the homes, outdoor garbage disposal, primitive latrines, and dirt floors. Parasite prevalence increased with age, and with school attendance rates, in the 2 suburban communities. These findings suggest a need for multidisciplinary sanitation programs and community education to reduce parasite transmission through food, water, and soil, in accordance with the environmental and sociocultural characteristics of each municipal ecosystem.