Characterization of the intestinal parasitism in the community

Abstract

Introduction: among infectious diseases, those caused by intestinal parasites constitute an important health
problem for humans, mainly in countries with lower socioeconomic development.
Objective: to characterize intestinal parasitism in the community of the medical office 33 of the Hermanos Cruz
university polyclinic, in the period from September 2017 to July 2019.
Method: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out. The universe consisted of 87
patients with clinical and microbiological diagnosis of intestinal parasitosis, a sample of 48 patients was selected
by non-probabilistic sampling. Theoretical, empirical and descriptive statistical methods were used.
Results: 35,4 % of the age group from 11 to 20 years old predominated, male sex with 49 %; 54 % were engaged
as occupation to study, with a level of basic secondary school completed, for 42 %. The risk factors present in
51 % were not washing hands before ingesting food, followed by not washing food before ingesting it, with
48 %. The symptoms reported were abdominal pain (36%), followed by diarrhea (28 %), indigestion and anal
itching (27 % and 26 %, respectively). The type of parasite identified with 42 % was Giardia Lambia, followed
by Enterobius Vermiculares with 39 %.
Conclusions: it is concluded that intestinal parasitism is a significant health problem that affects the young
population of the community, it is necessary to carry out actions of health promotion and prevention of risk
factors, with community and intersectoral participation in order to reduce the incidence of this infectious disease