Intestinal parasites in persons with special needs. Prevalence in individuals from institutions in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5216/rpt.v39i2.10729Keywords:
Mental handicap, Intestinal parasites, Educational workshops, Brazil.Abstract
This study evaluated the prevalence of intestinal parasites in individuals with specialneeds in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, in the period of March 2006 to July 2008.
In addition, we held educational workshops on prevention and control of parasitic
diseases. Sedimentation and flotation methods were carried out on samples from
six institutions. Of 146 samples analyzed, 29 (19.9%) had intestinal parasites, of
which 24 (82.7%) occurred in males and 5 (17.2%) in females. The most common
organisms were Entamoeba coli in 51.7% of positive samples and Endolimax
nana in 27.6%, followed by Giardia lamblia (20.7%), Trichuris trichiura (13.8%),
Ascaris lumbricoides (3.4%), Enterobius vermicularis (3.4%), and Hymenolepis
nana (3.4%). Our findings suggest that the prevalence of intestinal parasites in
the individuals studied is low, especially in relation to pathogenic organisms. The
workshops did not always achieve the expected goals due to difficulties in engaging
the studied group, given the individuals’ limitations. This study was considered
relevant because it allowed collaborative work between the university and the
community.
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