Intestinal parasites and socioeconomic and sanitary conditions in a quilombola comunity of the semi-arid region in Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

Intestinal parasites have been exhaustively studied in different communities in
Brazil throughout the years although data concerning remaining “quilombolas”
(descendants of former black slaves that escaped to hiding places, the quilombos)
communities are poor. The current study aimed to investigate the frequency of
intestinal parasites and potential risk factors for these infections in children and
teenagers (2-14 years old), living in a remaining quilombola community in Bahia.
Stool samples were collected and standardized questionnaires were applied to 348
subjects. 276 (79.3%) were infected by protozoa or helminth parasites. In relation
to socioeconomic characteristics, of 180 interviewed families, 122 (67%) reported
to live with a half minimum salary, most of them (61%) have no treated water, 51%
have no toilet in their houses. Sewage system was absent in 96.6% of the houses.
These results show the high frequency of intestinal parasites in this population, once
they live in precarious socioeconomic and environmental conditions, highlighting
the immediate need of governmental interventions on this community.