Intestinal
parasitic infections (IPIs) are present in
Brazil from upper-to low-
income communities , with varying
infection estimates; however, they
affect those living in urban and rural
poverty more severely, without adequate access to consistently safe
drinking water ,
sanitation ,
waste disposal, medical access and
education . Estimates show the need for establishing
infection prevalence and socioeconomic features, along with
population knowledge ,
attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding IPIs. The purpose of this study is to assess the
prevalence and KAP regarding IPIs of residents of an urban low-
income community (Parque Oswaldo Cruz/Amorim) of the Complexo de Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil . The Lutz
sedimentation technique was used for
parasite detection (n=1,121) and, to obtain data on
community KAP regarding IPIs, a KAP
survey , adapted from Mello et al. was applied (n=505). An overall
prevalence of 20.7% was detected with protozoa composing 92.9% (n=235) of the positive samples.
Questionnaires revealed generally correct
knowledge but with several inconsistencies, unawareness of the
association between the etiological agent and the
disease , and
uncertainty regarding own
knowledge of the subject. The
population understood the importance of prevention and was willing to utilize prevention
strategies despite being unsure of how to prevent
infection . Further studies are required to investigate
best practices for improving
health equity ,
community health empowerment and IPIs prevention in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil .