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Revista Medica Herediana

Print version ISSN 1018-130X

Abstract

JACINTO, Eleuterio; APONTE, Edwin  and  ARRUNATEGUI-CORREA, Víctor. Prevalence of intestinal parasites in children of different levels of education in the San Marcos district of Ancash, Peru. Rev Med Hered [online]. 2012, vol.23, n.4, pp.235-239. ISSN 1018-130X.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites among students of the San Marcos district of Ancash, Peru. Methods: A total of 1303 stool samples of children from the kinder, primary and secondary school levels were investigated using direct examinations. Results: At least one parasite was found in 65% of students. Out of 845 positive stool samples, one parasite was found in 82% and two parasites were found in 18%; protozoan parasites predominated over nematodes. The most frequent parasites identified were Giardia lamblia 23.7%, Ascaris lumbricoides 16.9% and Hymenolepis nana 9.6%. Non-pathogenic Entamoeba coli was found in 31.8%. Conclusions: The prevalence of intestinal parasites in the rural highland population of Ancash is high, which may be related to deficient sanitary conditions of the region. Improving sanitary conditions and enhancing education on hygiene are needed in the region.

Keywords : parasites; rural communities; helminthiasis; Peru.

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