Prevalence and risk factors for intestinal parasitism in students from Los Baños del Inca district, Peru

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitism and to identify some associated risk factors in students of the primary level coming from state educative institutions of rural communities of the district of Los Baños del Inca, Cajamarca - Peru between october to december 2009. A total of 143 samples was collected which were processed by means of the techniques of direct examination and concentration by spontaneous sedimentation in tube modified by Tello and fast sedimentation modified by Lumbreras. The prevalence of intestinal parasitism was of 81,8%; the infection by pathogenic parasites was of 38,5%, the pathogenic species were: Giardia lamblia, Hymenolepis nana, Fasciola hepatica and Ascaris lumbricoides. The low level of instruction of the mother of the student was identified like possible risk factor (OR 3,29; CI 95% 1,22-8,95). It is required to apply measures that prevent the dissemination of the parasite.