ABSTRACT
A simple and inexpensive assay for detection of H2S producing bacteria in drinking water was evaluated in Paraguay. Using an improved preparation procedure, results were basically temperature independent in the range of 22-37ºc and correlated well with the presence of total coliform bacteria (96 percent, 28ºc). The assay was not suitable for control of surface water and dug well water due to the frequent presence of non-faecal coliforms. However, it was very suitable for routine control of high quality water-systems, like treated community water systems or deeep-tube well water, where complete absence of coliforms is required a laboratory technician or special equipament. Its use permits a cost-effective routine control of high quality community water systems in developing countries. In addition, this test turned out to be an effective educational tool for heightening the awareness of people towards dangers of unclean drinking water
Subject(s)
Drinking Water , Straining of LiquidsABSTRACT
The prevalence intestinal of parasitosis was studied in a population of 150 children, which ages ranged from one to fourteen years, from Guazú-Cuá department of Paraguarí, which is an isolated community with very poor sanitary conditions. Feces from all 150 children were examined by the concentration and the Willis methods, and 94 percent of them had parasites (62.7 percent), 74 had only one parasites (78.7 percent) and 20 had two or more parasites (21.3 percent). Giardia lamblia was the most frequent parasite (22.0 percent) followed by Uncinaria (5.3 percent). The most frequent combination was that of Giardia and Uncinaria (5.3 percent). No age or sex preference for the parasites was detected. The high infestation rate suggests the need of improvement of the sanitary conditions and the education of the population
Subject(s)
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic , ParaguayABSTRACT
The nutritional status of the children in the rural community of Guazu-Cuá, Paraguarí Department, Paraguay, was evaluated within the frame of a project on primary health care. The study was carried out twice (July 1989 and July 1990) in children of both sexs with ages from one month to ten years, using anthropometric parameters and derived indexes such as boby weight:age ratio, height:ages ratio, and boby weight:height ratio. From the 86 evaluated chlidren, 74.5 percent showed normal values, 11.5 percent display signs of a previous malnutrcicion, 2.5 percent actual malnutricion, and 11.5 pervcent were overweight. It is very interesting to emphasize that the percentages of malnourished and overweight children were similar in the two evaluations
Subject(s)
Nutritional Status , Infant Nutrition , Nutrition Disorders , Child Nutrition Disorders , ParaguayABSTRACT
An epidemiological survey was preformed in 81 children forn a rural town, Escobar, in order to determine the prevalence of the intestinal parasitosis by four different methods. Out of the 81 samples studied, 63 yielded positive parasitosis (77.8 percent). The most frecuent parasites fuond were Blastocistis hominis (60.3 percent), uncynaria (46 percent) and Giardia lamblia (34.9 percent). In 40 samples, more than one parasite were detected. In 22,13 and 5 cases were found 2,3 and more parasites, respectively
Subject(s)
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic , Prevalence , ParaguayABSTRACT
The prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection was studied in a population of 158 children, which ages ranged from 4 months to thirteen years, from Guazú-Cuá department of Paraguarí, which is an isolated community within the endemic area for Chagas'disease. Twelve out of 158 ( 7.6 percent) children yielded positive results for the detection of anti-T. Cruzi antibodies by Elisa. Three cases (1.9 percent) were recorded in children under 5 years of age. These results reveal a high prevalence, according to the criteria establish by the WHO