Risk factors associated with intestinal parasitosis in children from a preschool in Barquisimeto, Lara state

Abstract

An investigation is presented on some risk factors associated with intestinal parasitosis in 54 children of both sexes from 3 to 6 years of age, with the intention of knowing if the behavior of these elements is consistent with those found in similar publications. The samples were processed in the parasitology laboratory of the Deanery of Health Sciences of the Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado in Barquisimeto, Lara state, Venezuela; finding that 51.9% of the children were parasitized only by protozoa, and that, according to an instrument applied by the caregivers, the children washed their hands before eating (90.7%) and after going to the bathroom. (94.4%). Likewise, caregivers' hand washing before preparing food and after going to the bathroom was completed in more than 85%; washing fruits and vegetables and covering food was carried out in 100% of cases; and that drinking water was not treated in only 3.7% of homes; however, all were considered important in parasitic infections in these children. Hence, pertinent recommendations are offered.